The conduct of a sworn administrative inquiry into the incidents of police violence that occurred yesterday, Thursday (July 28), during the solidarity march in Yiannis Michailidis, on a hunger strike and are patrolling the internet, as ordered by the Hellenic Police.
Specifically, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Citizen Protection, “the Greek Police Headquarters has announced that an official administrative inquiry has been ordered to investigate incidents reported on websites and social media ”regarding disciplinary offenses committed by police officers against citizens while enforcing public order during yesterday’s (Thursday, July 28, 2022) demonstration in Athens.”.
At the same time, according to the ministry, an order was issued the police officers involved should be transferred from their departments until the investigation is completed.
Unprovoked police violence at the march for Yiannis Michailidis
Unprovoked police violence at the solidarity march for Yiannis Michailidis, held following the rejection by the Athens Court of Appeals of the hunger striker’s request for release from prisonand following the rapid deterioration of his health on Thursday (July 28).
From the very start of the rally in Syntagma, the police presence was heavy, as riot police officers followed the protesters closely.
And as the march set off toward Omonia, near Voukourestiou Street, riot police began firing tear gas and flash-bang grenades at the protesters.
NOW: Tear gas and flash grenades at the solidarity march for hunger striker G. Michailidis pic.twitter.com/8o64h49v6X
— NEWS 24/7 (@News247gr) July 28, 2022
Then, as the march resumed toward Omonia—and without any tension—the “Aura” appeared, passed between the riot police and began spraying water at the demonstrators, who were simply marching along.
As the march headed toward the Propylaea, and with no new tensions arising, the police riot squad appeared and began spraying water at the protesters. Subsequently, riot police officers armed with batons began striking the stragglers at the back of the march.https://t.co/8A5TLMsISe pic.twitter.com/enmYPoHp6n
— NEWS 24/7 (@News247gr) July 28, 2022
A few minutes later, the riot police arrived near the march and began striking the last remaining protesters with their batons.
The scenes of police violence and abuse of power were captured on video
In fact, the riot police also attacked the photojournalists and reporters who were covering the march, at a time when no incidents were taking place and even though their identities as journalists were clearly visible.
Police Again Assaulted Journalists and Photojournalists – Video from News 24/7https://t.co/7HDNXUhgmT pic.twitter.com/ODrRXr1RZo
— NEWS 24/7 (@News247gr) July 28, 2022
A shameful combination of brutality and cowardice by the Greek police at the #michailidis_hunger_strike Demo tonight. #free_michailidis #antireport pic.twitter.com/mKIEvLAoEd
— AlexisDaloumis (@AlexisDaloumis) July 28, 2022
