Hooded rioters throw gasoline bombs at police during clashes on the third and final day of a censure motion against the government over its handling of a rail disaster two years ago. (Petros Giannakouris/AP Photo)
Clashes broke out in Greece’s two largest cities Friday, as protesters hurled gasoline bombs and flares outside parliament, during a censure motion debate against the government over its handling of a deadly rail disaster two years ago.
Police fired tear gas and stun grenades at the violent protesters and used water cannons when the clashes broke out moments after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis began speaking at the end of the three-day debate. Inside the assembly, activists in the visitors’ gallery threw leaflets down onto lawmakers before being removed by police.
Violence also erupted in the northern city of Thessaloniki.
Relatives of crash victims attended Friday’s protest rallies, publicly expressing gratitude to demonstrators.
“People are here because they understand what’s going on and they demand justice,” said Chrysoula Chlorou, whose 55-year-old sister Vasso was killed in the crash, while attending a protest in the central city of Larissa.
She added: “We will stand with everyone who has the strength to raise their voices for the people and we thank them very much.”
[AP]