Anti-anarchist pogrom launched by Socialists in Greece

One day after assuming power, the Socialists launched a massive invasion of Exarcheia, the Athens anarchist enclave, with mass detentions and brutal intimidation of locals.

Submitted by taxikipali on October 9, 2009

On the early hours of Friday 9 of October, four days after the landslide victory of the Socialists in the greek national elections, and only a day after assuming power, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (Pasok) proved its intentions towards the social antagonistic movement that has swept the country since the December Uprising: brutal repression.

Almost one thousand cops of all corpses, riot police, motorised police, secret police and usual uniformed officers swept Exarcheia, the anarchist enclave of the greek capital, at 01.30 am. The mass invasion of the police-free area was orchestrated by the new Minister of Public Order (or as the Socialist newspeak has it Minister of Citizens' Protection) Mr Chrisohoidis, infamous for his unorthodox methods in capturing and interrogating members of the November 17 urban guerrilla group in the summer of 2002 - i.e. torture. On his side the genius of repression has as of yesterday Mr Vougias, a well-known ex extreme-leftist eager to share his knowledge of things revolutionary with the State.

During the invasion, which came only a day after the new PM, Mr Papandreou the 3rd, announced that his government is "antiauthoritarians in power", hundreds of people were stopped and harassed by cops who broke into 26 bars, camped in the liberated park of Navarinou street and generally portrayed a most avenging and brutal attitude towards anyone who just happens to be within the invisible boundaries of the radical area.
Reports claim that several young people were seriously beaten during the operations.

According to the press more than 60 people were detained during the pogrom. Mr Vougias announced that "anomy will be abolished" and connected the invasion with an attack launched the previous morning by more than a dozen activists against banks and a fascist bookshop in the centre of the city as an act of solidarity to the 3 boys arrested under the anti-terrorist law.

Comments

taxikipali

14 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by taxikipali on October 9, 2009

As last night's pogrom has developed into full scale attack, I have made a new post - If you want you can integrate the two in one. Thanks. I will provide new info when available.

Steven.

14 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Steven. on October 10, 2009

Hi, thanks, but it's fine having this and an expanded one as well. Keep us updated!

Caiman del Barrio

14 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Caiman del Barrio on October 10, 2009

Taxikipali - maybe post some suggestions as to what comrades can do in solidarity, seeing as how you're suffering regular attacks right now...

Juan Conatz

14 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Juan Conatz on October 10, 2009

Just a suggestion, but "pogrom" has a particular meaning that probably doesn't fit with this situation...

gypsy

14 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by gypsy on October 11, 2009

I agree pogrom is abit extreme.