Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-12-06

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] German political model doesn't suit Greece

[02] Dozens arrested as authorities crack down on street violence

[03] Increased police presence

[01] German political model doesn't suit Greece

The ND leader expressed his opposition to applying the German political model in Greece, saying its implementation in the east Mediterranean country would lead to "absolute leadership models" and "more concentrated party structures".

Additionally, he was confident that the country is not on the verge of bankruptcy and advised the elaboration of a long-term strategy for the economy, emphasising that the current crisis is more of a "wake up" call rather than a collapse.

Referring to his party, he reiterated that no one has the right to divide ND and promised an in-depth renewal on all levels.

In criticising the new PASOK government's policy, Samaras referred to "impromptu" actions and "back peddling".

Caption: ANA-MPA file photo main opposition New Democracy leader Antonis Samaras

[02] Dozens arrested as authorities crack down on street violence

The first reports of incidents came on Saturday evening in the central Athens district of Exarchia, where Alexis Grigoropoulos was killed on Dec. 6, 2008, an area that serves as the more-or-less "congregation point" for self-styled anarchist youth gangs in the Greek capital.

One group reportedly attacked against police patrolling the area, leading to 40 persons taken into custody. Of those, four local residents along with five Italian nationals and three Albanian nationals were sent before a local prosecutor on a variety of charges.

Beyond Athens' closely watched "bohemian district", another 41 individual were detained following a police operation to clear a town hall in the Piraeus-area working class municipality of Keratsini. Another 20 individuals were arrested during a raid on a self-styled "autonomous" commune in the same district.

According to reports, a light grenade, 200 bottles reportedly fashioned into firebombs, hammers, sledge hammers, chisels, two tanks with flammable liquid, rods, helmets, gas masks and a PC were confiscated. That development was followed by some 60 individuals throwing objects at a riot police squad guarding the area..

Later on Sunday, another 60 individuals were detained in and around Syntagma Square, across from Parliament.

Finally, six men and two women were arrested early Sunday morning in Thessaloniki. According to local police, the suspects were allegedly part of a bigger group of masked perpetrators that had assembled in a local university before venturing out to clash with police units around the facility.

[03] Increased police presence

The first reports of incidents came on Saturday evening in the central Athens district of Exarchia, where Alexis Grigoropoulos was killed on Dec. 6, 2008, an area that serves as the more-or-less "congregation point" for self-styled anarchist youth gangs in the Greek capital.

One group reportedly attacked against police patrolling the area, leading to 40 persons taken into custody. Of those, four local residents along with five Italian nationals and three Albanian nationals were sent before a local prosecutor on a variety of charges.

Beyond Athens' closely watched "bohemian district", another 41 individual were detained following a police operation to clear a town hall in the Piraeus-area working class municipality of Keratsini. Another 20 individuals were arrested during a raid on a self-styled "autonomous" commune in the same district.

According to reports, a light grenade, 200 bottles reportedly fashioned into firebombs, hammers, sledge hammers, chisels, two tanks with flammable liquid, rods, helmets, gas masks and a PC were confiscated. That development was followed by some 60 individuals throwing objects at a riot police squad guarding the area..

Later on Sunday, another 60 individuals were detained in and around Syntagma Square, across from Parliament.

Finally, six men and two women were arrested early Sunday morning in Thessaloniki. According to local police, the suspects were allegedly part of a bigger group of masked perpetrators that had assembled in a local university before venturing out to clash with police units around the facility.

Caption: ANA-MPA/PANTELIS SAITAS

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