Serious clashes broke out in Athens following the conclusion of a peaceful demonstration held in memory of the victims of the Tempi train tragedy.
The tension escalated on Mitropoleos Street, where a group of hooded individuals attempted to seek refuge in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.
The churchyard turned into a battleground, as protesters—having been subjected to extensive use of tear gas in Syntagma Square—moved toward the area. Security forces responded with stun grenades, while Molotov cocktails were thrown inside the Metropolitan Cathedral’s premises.
The situation de-escalated later, but the incident has raised serious concerns over the scale of the clashes and the intensity that followed the massive memorial for the 57 victims of the Tempi disaster.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
