Greece: Policemen Suspended After Brutality Claims

Several police officers were suspended in Greece amid claims that they treated protesters brutally in Athens, media reports said Thursday.
Greece: Policemen Suspended After Brutality Claims
5/12/2011
Updated:
10/2/2015

Several police officers were suspended in Greece amid claims that they treated protesters brutally in Athens, media reports said Thursday.

Protesters demonstrated on Wednesday against austerity measures that were initiated across the country, as the country struggles to deal with its debt crisis and recently instated severe austerity measures. Several people were reported injured.

Government spokesperson, George Petalotis, released a statement saying that it expresses “regret for the grievous injury sustained by a young man” during the protests. “We must all keep our calm and poise during these difficult conditions our country is going through,” he added.

The man’s injuries—as well as those of other protesters—were allegedly caused by riot police officers, that also launched tear gas attacks against demonstrators who tried to overpower the police, Reuters reported.

The Greek police released a statement on Thursday stating that the policemen who used brutality to deal with the protesters, were suspended.

“We identified the three policemen who exhibited brutal behavior against a citizen participating in yesterday’s march,” the statement reads, reported Reuters. “The policemen and their commanding officer were immediately suspended and a criminal investigation was launched.”

<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/114075540.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/114075540.jpg" alt="ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: Violence erupted after approximately 20, 000 protesters marched to parliament during a 24-hour general strike . Protesters reportedly clashed with riot police throughout Athens after unions called the strike to protest harsh austerity measures intended to keep the debt-ridden country solvent. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)" title="ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: Violence erupted after approximately 20, 000 protesters marched to parliament during a 24-hour general strike . Protesters reportedly clashed with riot police throughout Athens after unions called the strike to protest harsh austerity measures intended to keep the debt-ridden country solvent. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870046"/></a>
ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: Violence erupted after approximately 20, 000 protesters marched to parliament during a 24-hour general strike . Protesters reportedly clashed with riot police throughout Athens after unions called the strike to protest harsh austerity measures intended to keep the debt-ridden country solvent. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
<a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/114064158.jpg"><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/10/114064158.jpg" alt="ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: A protester falls to the ground after clashes erupted during a general strike that halted services and disrupted flights May 11, 2011 in Athens, Greece. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)" title="ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: A protester falls to the ground after clashes erupted during a general strike that halted services and disrupted flights May 11, 2011 in Athens, Greece. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)" width="575" class="size-medium wp-image-1870048"/></a>
ATHENS, GREECE - MAY 11: A protester falls to the ground after clashes erupted during a general strike that halted services and disrupted flights May 11, 2011 in Athens, Greece. (Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)