Toll rate protesters granted release by Athens prosecutor
The mayor of the eastern Attica town of Oropos, four of his deputies, two municipal councilors and two chairmen of local residents’ associations were granted unconditional release by an Athens prosecutor on Tuesday, who demanded a more thorough investigation into a protest rally on Sunday at the Malakasa national highway toll station that resulted in a toll booth being knocked over and set alight.
Several dozen protesters gathered at the Evelpidon Street court complex in central Athens to express their support for Oropos Mayor Yiannis Oikonomakos (photo) and the other eight defendants, who are being investigated for their role in sparking the vandalism as the protest was organized by the municipality in response to a hike in toll charges.
No charges were brought against the defendants, though the prosecutor has ordered a more thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain whether there are grounds for indictments.
