Clashes as Greek riot police storm Athens camp to evict migrants

Clashes broke out close to Athens after Greek riot police moved to evacuate one of many final refugee camps within the capital.

Authorities tried to empty the Eleonas camp early on Thursday morning to evict round 670 individuals who stay there.

Photos from the scene present migrants and activists organising barricades earlier than clashing with police, who used tear gasoline to power some folks again.

Based on the NGO Solidarity With Migrants, solely round 30 folks had been evicted within the operation.

"In cooperation with the municipality of Athens, we're continuing with the closure of the Eleonas camp, because the modernisation of the realm progresses and there are locations obtainable in different current constructions," Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi wrote on Twitter.

"Sadly, a small variety of migrants and teams that help them try to undermine the motion."

The Eleonas refugee camp was the primary to open in mainland Greece in August 2015 and has been visited by a number of world leaders.

Officers are hoping to evict the remaining occupants by the tip of the yr and relocate them to Schisto, the final remaining camp in Athens.

Greece has denied frequent allegations by NGOs that it has illegally pushed again asylum seekers.

Solidarity With Migrants says that migrants have solely consented to be transferred from Eleonas after "many threats and lies from the camp administration".

The NGO says that many don't wish to transfer till Greek authorities safe housing for them within the metropolis.