25 arrests during a demonstration of anti-vaccination campaigners in Athens

Several thousand people demonstrated against the compulsory corona vaccination in Greece on Syntagma Square in Athens.

Police use tear gas and water cannons after riots.

Athens - In a riot at a demonstration by anti-vaccination opponents, the Greek police temporarily arrested 25 people on Saturday evening.

According to the authorities, several thousand people had previously gathered on Syntagma Square in central Athens to protest against the partial corona vaccination that now exists in Greece. After a peaceful rally, the situation escalated when demonstrators threw incendiary devices and stones at the emergency services and they used water cannons and tear gas.

In Greece and Cyprus, there are currently repeated demonstrations against the corona vaccination campaigns, some of which also result in violence. Most of the people who oppose the vaccination are religious zealots and right-wing extremists. They have been taking to the streets since the government increased pressure on unvaccinated citizens in the face of rising infection rates. Two weeks ago, for example, it was ruled that employees in the care and health sector are obliged to be vaccinated against corona. Otherwise they can be released from their work without a salary. Closed rooms in the catering and cultural sector, such as clubs and theaters, may only be visited by vaccinated people. dpa