Deportation for rioting immigrants
Authorities yesterday began procedures to expel a group of 293 immigrants who rioted and attempted to escape detention in the port town of Rafina near Athens, police said. Five men were injured during clashes with riot police late on Tuesday in a Rafina sports hall where the immigrants, mostly Iraqi Kurds, have been held since January 5. They had been apprehended after being smuggled to the island of Evia on a wooden fishing boat believed to have sailed from Turkey. One of the injured was hospitalized with a broken leg and broken ribs. The others were treated for minor injuries and released. According to police, the immigrants began rioting shortly after authorities informed them that they were not eligible for residence permits and were unlikely to be able to remain in Greece. A group allegedly attacked and attempted to disarm the 10 port police guards in the sports hall. Greek authorities have contacted their Turkish counterparts in order to arrange for the immigrants to be returned.
