Two men were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds on Saturday after a clash between left-wing activists and neo Nazis in central Athens escalated beyond the normal street brawls.

Police said yesterday that about 30 left-wing supporters, wearing bike helmets, attacked the offices belonging to Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) by throwing rocks and petrol bombs.

The left-wing group then ran away from the scene but was shot at by someone in the Chryssi Avgi offices with a hunting rifle.

Two men, aged 32 and 22, were treated for gunshot wounds but were not in serious condition, doctors said. Police said that neither of the two men could be arrested, due to a lack of evidence. Both claimed to be passing the area at the time the incident took place.

Police are conducting an investigation into the shooting and found six petrol bombs made out of beer bottles in the Chryssi Avgi offices.