Spike in attacks on police in central Athens draws opposition criticism
Opposition New Democracy on Monday accused the left-led government of turning a blind eye to violence by self-styled anarchists in the city center directed at targets representing the “establishment.”
“The tolerance being shown by the government has exceeded all limits,” the conservative party’s spokesman, Vassilis Kikilias, said.
According to figures published by the Greek Police, 59 attacks were recorded in the first month of this year alone at riot units posted in the neighborhood of Exarchia and 22 of those were directed at officers outside the offices of the PASOK socialist party.
The figures show an increase from last year, which saw a total of 89 attacks, 32 of which were at the PASOK office, as well as from 2015 and 2014, when the number of assaults stood at 46 and 40 respectively.
“Under the SYRIZA-Independent Greek government, delinquency and lawlessness have become part of day-to-day life for citizens in the center of Athens,” Kikilias said.
His comments came after riot officers came under a fresh hail of stones and Molotov cocktails in Exarchia this weekend in a spate of attacks by hooded youths in which one officer suffered minor injuries.
