Greek anarchists in action

06 December 2015 / 20:12:56 GRReporter

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Photos - SKAI TV, protothema.gr

11-12-year-olds are throwing Molotov bombs against the special forces of the Greek police during the marches, with which the anarchists celebrated the anniversary of the assassination of Alexis Grigoropoulos.

The unrest began on the central Panepistimiou street around the building of the Bank of Greece, but soon spread out to other bank offices in the vicinity, as well as ordinary retail outlets. Riot police intervened with tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators.

Currently the procession, which according to police involved between 2 and 3 thousand, has been contained within the boundaries of the central district of Exarcheia. There, at the site where Alexis Grigoropoulos was murdered seven years ago, a commemorative ceremony will be held at 21.00 hours, organised by family, friends and fellow travellers.

The exchange of Molotov cocktails and tear gas between anarchists and police is still going on around Stournaris street in Exarcheia.

According to police reports, until this hour, 19.45, anarchists have used around 100 Molotov cocktails. Exarcheia residents say that vandals are breaking curbs and pavement and snatching stones to throw at the police forces.

Eyewitnesses speak of a real pogrom in Exarcheia, where newsstands and garbage cans are burning, being set on fire to serve as barricades in the streets. The Greek police report that at the last moment they found an anarchists' hideout near Strefi hill with 112 ready-to-use Molotov cocktails and material for the production of at least another 300.

According to the police, there are no more than 500 anarchists in Exarchia at the moment, who continue to hurl stones and Molotov cocktails. One of them set fire to an apartment on the first floor of a building in the neighbourhood. The Fire Brigade reported that it is very difficult for their vehicles to get around in the area of Exarcheia, as anarchists have blocked the streets.