October 10, 2012 | 18:47
Greece to prosecute anti-Merkel protesters
Source: Tanjug
ATHENS -- The Greek Public Prosecution on Wednesday issued indictments against 24 demonstrators, accusing them of committing a series of criminal and misdemeanor acts.
They protested on Tuesday in Athens against the visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The ANA news agency is reporting that the charges against the 24 include attempts to inflict serious bodily harm on police officers, disturbance of peace by means of wearing masks, resisting arrest, attempts to free prisoners, illegal carrying of weapons, and engaging in "unprovoked insults".
The group has been detained and will be brought before a misdemeanor judge.
Some 30,000 people gathered to protest in Athens on Tuesday, while a smaller demonstration was also held in Thessaloniki.
They defied the authorities' ban on public gatherings and assembled in front of the parliament building in the Greek capital ahead of Merkel's arrival.
Greeks blame Germany, the EU's strongest economy, for being behind the strict austerity measures imposed on Greece in exchange for international assistance that the country requires as it struggles with the economic crisis.