NEWS

SYRIZA, DIMAR condemn detention of drug addicts

The transfer by police of 132 drug addicts to the temporary detention center for undocumented immigrants in Amygdaleza, northwest of Athens, provoked angry reactions on Friday from the main leftwing opposition SYRIZA and from Democratic Left, the junior partner in the coalition government.

Both parties accused the police of violating the rights of substance-addicted citizens. Democratic Left (DIMAR) spoke of «a pogrom launched by the Greek Police in central Athens against drug users,» noting that the whole operation «raised many questions.»

SYRIZA meanwhile condemned a police crackdown ostensibly aimed at protecting public health as «fascist» in nature. «Human rights are not a luxury but an enduring and indisputable condition which is not subject to exceptions,» SYRIZA said in a statement.

The transfer of the drug addicts to Amygdaleza on Thursday night provoked vehement protests by doctors and health workers.

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