Greece: Demo leads to violence
2010-03-11 16:08
Athens - Hundreds of rioters are clashing with police during a large demonstration in central Athens, as unions hold a nationwide strike against the cash-strapped government's austerity measures.
Masked and hooded youths are punching and kicking motorcycle police, knocking several off their bikes, as riot police fire volleys of teargas and stun grenades to disperse the rioters.
Earlier in Thursday's protest, youths threw stones and petrol bombs at police, and used sledge hammers to smash the glass fronts of more than a dozen shops, banks, jewellers and theatres.
Rioters also set fire to rubbish bins and smashed bus stops.
Police say at least nine suspected rioters have been detained, while two officers were injured.
More than 20 000 people joined in the march.
- AP