(AFP) Police and migrants faced off Thursday as Greek authorities started evacuating one of the last refugee camps in Athens, officials said, with videos showing authorities using tear gas and a flash grenade.
The attempted eviction of the Eleonas camp, which hosts around 670 refugees and migrants, started at around 5:00 am local time.
Police were seen removing barricades residents had built around the gates of the camp in anticipation of the clearance operation.
Migrants and activists clashed with riot police, who used tear gas and a flash grenade to push back protestors, according to videos posted by activists at the scene.
Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said on Twitter Thursday that the government was “proceeding with the closure of the Eleonas camp” as part of an upgrade of the area and with places available in other areas.
