Anarchists stage raid on police
As security measures intensified in the capital yesterday ahead of an annual protest march on Thursday, anarchists attacked an Athens police station in the latest incident in a spate of violence that began last week. Authorities said about 20 youths threw petrol bombs at a surveillance camera near a police station in Zografou, near central Athens, and then threw a stun grenade at law enforcers. The violence started last week, when youths hurled rocks at the entrance of the French Institute buildings in Athens and Thessaloniki, and firebombed two car dealerships in central Athens. Police believe the attackers were acting in sympathy with rioters in France. Meanwhile, in Thessaloniki early yesterday, two bank branches were targeted by arsonists who placed homemade explosive devices at the entrances. The attacks have police concerned that this year’s march, held to mark a student uprising against the military junta in 1973, will be marred by violence. Some 3,000 police officers were placed on guard around the Athens Polytechnic yesterday.
