Hundreds Of Anarchists Held After Greek Riots

Greek police have rounded up 296 anarchists in connection with violent riots that ripped through the Greek capital and five other cities across the country overnight.

The violence - among the worst witnessed in years - erupted from what initially looked like a peaceful protest march marking the sixth anniversary of the fatal police shooting of an unarmed teenager, Alexandros Grigoropoulos.

Black-clad anarchists penetrated the march, launching attacks against riot police and going on a rampage in the centre of Athens.

At least 22 store fronts were gutted. Banks were fire-bombed and cars set on fire, turning Athens into a war zone for hours.

Even the country’s Catholic cathedral, nestled in the heart of the Greek capital, was attacked, as anarchists ripped out slabs gracing its marble entrance, breaking them and hurling them at riot police.

Some also carried placards referring to the police shooting of black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson in the US.

Violence gripped six other cities across the country, with solidarity marches even spilling over into neighbouring Turkey.

Anarchists are now holed up inside a university, regrouping ahead of a rash of protests scheduled for later on Sunday. They want the government to allow a fellow anarchist, jailed for robbery charges, to be freed so he can attend university.

Nikos Romanos, who was a close friend of the teenager who was gunned down by police six years ago, has been on hunger strike for 28 days, demanding he be released from prison to attend a local university which accepted him earlier this year.

The government has turned down the request, citing security reasons.

In a desperate bid to defuse the situation, Greek prime minister Antonis Samaras has stepped in, agreeing to meet Romanos’ parents on Monday.

With Greece entering its sixth year of recession and the government continuing to implement unrelenting austerity, authorities fear the protests could trigger bigger shows of violence and social upheaval in response to the country’s prolonged financial crisis.

Parliament is voting on a new state budget. Despite improved financial data, more brutal cuts are in store to cover a fiscal gap of €2.5bn (£1.97bn).