Arrest-shy police face prosecutor
The chief appeals prosecutor in Athens launched an urgent investigation yesterday into why police officers did not make any arrests during their clashes with anarchists on Wednesday. Prosecutor Giorgos Koliocostas believes that the police’s presence was not strong enough and that officers allowed suspected anarchists to freely commit a number of offenses, including attempted murder, arson, explosions and widespread damage. Youths attacked riot police around the grounds of the National Technical University of Athens on Wednesday afternoon and evening. These clashes were followed by a rampage by some 40 youths who sought refuge in the Athens University of Economics and Business early on Thursday morning. Koliocostas also wants authorities to track down the rioters, some of whom threw Molotov cocktails at officers. Police said that more than 100 firebombs were thrown by the youths during the clashes, which followed a rally against the government’s proposed education reforms.
