Greece: Police fire tear gas amid large-scale anti-fascism demonstration in Athens October 7

Event

Police in Athens reportedly fired tear gas on Wednesday morning, October 7, to control part of a large anti-fascism rally in the capital linked to a prominent far-right court hearing. Thousands of activists had gathered outside the city's court of appeals ahead of a verdict in a case against the leaders of the far-right Golden Dawn group relating to the murder of an anti-fascism campaigner in 2013. Hundreds of additional police have been deployed at the court, and another protest site in Thessaloniki, and a cordon had been established around the building amid concerns over potential clashes between far-right and anti-fascist groups, but the large-scale demonstrations remained largely peaceful and orderly.

Tear gas is reported to have been used when a small group of demonstrators attempted to break through the cordon after a guilty verdict was issued against the Golden Dawn leaders, but the situation quickly de-escalated.

Disruptions are likely to continue in central Athens in the immediate term as thousands of people remain around the court of appeals. There remains a realistic possibility of further protests and clashes between rival demonstrators in the near term following Wednesday's verdict.  

Advice

Those in Athens are advised to monitor the situation, avoid associated demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate residual disruptions, and heed instructions issued by local authorities.