Greek journalists to file lawsuit against riot police

GREEK journalists will file a lawsuit against the police minister today over violence by riot police against reporters during anti-austerity protests last month.

More than 100 people, including journalists, were injured in clashes with police outside parliament on June 29 and 30, as law-makers voted on austerity measures needed to secure a bailout and keep Greece from bankruptcy.

“This is a message to many recipients: Journalists will show no more tolerance,” the head of the Greek journalists’ union George Savvidis said. “We want the minister to be investigated, as well as the police.”

Police clashed with black-clad youths, who hurled stones and set fire to buildings, and fired several rounds of tear gas at the protesters.

Doctors said they had treated at least 25 people for minor injuries and hundreds with respiratory problems on the scene, with almost 100 people treated in Athens hospitals. Among them were reporters, photographers and technicians covering the protests, Savvidis said.

“Enough is enough,” he said. “We are warning the government and police that no one can play with our dignity.”

Greeks have been staging daily rallies outside parliament, saying that only the poor bear the burden of austerity, as they chant: “Thieves, Thieves.”