5 youths arrested for Monastriraki Sq riots
Five youths faced a prosecutor yesterday after allegedly clashing with police during riots in central Athens’s Monastiraki Square in the early hours of the morning. Police arrived at the busy square at about 4 a.m. yesterday following reports that youths had been harassing tourists and damaging property. The youths threw rocks, sticks and bottles at the officers, who responded by firing tear gas. Their attack on the police was allegedly unprovoked. Another eight people were taken in for questioning but released later on. No injuries or serious damage were reported following the riots, the first violent incident during the Olympic Games. There was some damage to local shops. Thousands of Greeks and foreign visitors have been congregating at Monastiraki Square on a nightly basis over the course of the Games.
