Policemen attacked in central Vathis Square
Two separate acts of violence yesterday in Vathis Square, a run-down part of central Athens, resulted in a traffic policeman being knifed and a pair of regular police officers being shot at. The first incident occurred at 5.30 a.m. when unidentified muggers attacked a traffic police officer who had been on his way to work. The muggers fled with the officer’s cell phone and 40 euros after slashing his face with a knife, leaving him with minor injuries. It was unclear whether the officer had been in uniform at the time. The second incident took place in the afternoon when a pair of policemen stopped two pedestrians for a routine inspection. One of the two produced a gun and fired at the officers, though he failed to hit them. The officers disarmed him and searched both suspects’ clothes, turning up masks. Police believe the duo may have robbed a bank earlier in the day.
