Unions, SYRIZA lash out at police over tactics at anti-austerity rally

Unions representing civil servants and private sector workers but also leftist SYRIZA which leads the ruling coalition issued statements on Monday accusing the Greek Police of heavy-handedness during an anti-austerity rally in Athens on Sunday night.

ADEDY, the umbrella union for Greek civil servants, said the government was to blame for "a violent terrorizing attack against demonstrators" and of using "the forces of despotism and submission" to suppress a public protest against austerity measures.

The Federation of Private Sector Employees, OIYE, also hit out at the government's "despotism" while SYRIZA rapped "the police's tactics and use of tear gas."