Greek unionists clashed with the riot police on Thursday during a demonstration by the Greek Trade Union Front (PAME). Police used tear gas and pepper spray to crack down on the demonstrators.
Greek police have banned protests in parts of central Athens due to a visit by the German President, Joachim Gauck, who is due to visit the site of a Nazi massacre in central Greece on Friday. The authorities have banned all demonstrations from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Scuffles broke out when a group of several dozen demonstrators tried to break through a police cordon on a major Athens avenue in an effort to reach the Finance Ministry. The union members were protesting against austerity measures and the rise of unemployment and their demonstration was unrelated to the German President’s visit.
According to reports, many protesters were injured on the head and face. During the demonstration Charalambos Angourakis, a member of the Greek Communist Party, was injured.
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