08 Mar 2021 | 04:03 PM UTC
Greece: Activists to protest in Athens, Thessaloniki March 8-9
Activists plan protests in Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, March 8-9. Increased security, localized disruptions likely. Clashes possible.
Event
Activists are planning to protest in Athens March 8 and Thessaloniki March 9 to denounce the alleged mistreatment of detained militant Dimitris Koufodinas. In Athens, participants are gathering from 1800 March 8 in Syntagma Square, and in Thessaloniki, they will gather 1730 March 9 at the Venizelos monument.
Authorities will deploy additional police to the protest areas. Increased security measures, including movement restrictions, will likely prompt localized transport disruptions until the protests have concluded. Previous related protests in Thessaloniki in recent weeks have featured some scuffles with police; numerous arrests were made. Although bystanders are not likely to be targeted in any violence, they would face a significant indirect threat.
Context
Activist groups, including leftist, anarchist, and antifascist groups, held similar demonstrations March 6 in solidarity with Koufontinas, who is serving a life sentence for his role in a series of deadly terrorist attacks 1975-2000. Further demonstrations are possible in the coming weeks.
Advice
Exercise caution near protest sites, and avoid any protests that may materialize due to the potential for confrontations and to mitigate associated disruptions. Heed instructions from security services and leave the area at the first sign of a confrontation. Allow additional time for travel in affected areas.
