Thessaloniki cathedral protesters cleared of οffensive behavior
Twenty-six people accused of storming into Thessaloniki's cathedral on Sunday, interrupting mass in a show of solidarity for those detained following raids on squats in recent days, were on Monday cleared on charges of abusive behavior during a religious service.
However 19 of the 26 suspects were found guilty of disobedience for refusing to have their fingerprints taken. They were given six-month suspended prison sentences and freed pending appeal.
Police believe the raid on the church to be directly linked to the demolition of a former orphanage which had been occupied by members of anti-establishment groups. The demolition of the orphanage, and raids on several other squats, prompted the condemnation of leftist SYRIZA which expressed support for "solidarity initiatives
