Greek cities are not defenseless: government spokesman

Athens and other cities across Greece are not defenseless, said government spokesman George Petalotis on Monday, as Greek police overpowered anarchists on the first anniversary of the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

"Thousands of citizens took part in peaceful demonstrations, which we welcome, honoring the memory of Alexandros Grigoropoulos," said the spokesman.

However, "there were of course those who sought a return to images of last year's destruction, but the message given is that the cities of our country are not defenseless," Petalotis stressed.

He added that the socialist government elected two months ago "has worked and will continue working to consolidate a sense of security to citizens."

Up to 10,000 policemen have deployed in Athens since the weekend, as Greek authorities and citizens fear a replay of last December's riots, triggered by the tragedy in which Grigoropoulos was shot dead by police.

Tension prevailed during the last student demonstration in central Athens on Monday afternoon commemorating the teenage victim.

Some 500 young anarchists marred a 5,000-strong march of pupils, students, teachers and other civilians. Hooded youths clashed again with police, hurling stones, oranges and Molotov bombs. Cars, banks and shops were damaged. Riot police finally overpowered them with tear gas.

Peaceful sit-in protests organized by students also ended with attacks against policemen with eggs, oranges and bottles of water by so called anti-establishment juveniles.

Violent incidents were also reported in other cities across Greece, from northern Thessaloniki to Chania and Heraklio on Creteisland.

As crews restored the damaged building of Athens University on Monday evening, police announced the latest account of detentions and arrests. A total of 644 people were detained and 140 arrested across Greece since Saturday.

Thirty nine people were detained and 19 arrested on Monday. Among them are nineteen foreigners -- seven Albanians, three French, three Spaniards, two Poles, two Latvians, one Bulgarian and one Jordanian.

Source: Xinhua