Riots in Athens as thousands protest against cutbacks

London Evening Standard
March 10, 2010

• A d v e r t i s e m e n t

Masked youths stoned police outside Greece’s parliament today in protest at cutbacks proposed to try to end the country’s debt crisis.

Riot police responded with tear gas and baton charges as more than 7,000 demonstrators gathered in the centre of Athens. They arrested six demonstrators, while onlookers said two officers were badly beaten.

Protesters attacked the leader of Greece’s biggest trade union and chased guards away from the country’s tomb of the unknown soldier. Youths also fought with police inside the Council of State and tried to break into the labour ministry.

Inside parliament, politicians were debating the €4.8 billion (£4.33 billion) austerity bill, which is expected to pass despite strong opposition. It will raise consumer taxes and slash public sector workers’ pay by up to 8%.

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This article was posted: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 2:42 pm

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