Police have reportedly launched an inquiry into reports that a female photojournalist and a male reporter were attacked by riot police on Monday night, during clashes with protesters in the central Athens district of Exarchia.
The clashes erupted after a mass rally in the capital commemorating the bloody uprising of students against Greece's military dictatorship in 1973.
The female photographer suffered back injuries while the male reporter sustained
injuries to his hand and knee. Seven protesters and five police officers were injured in the clashes, while 10 people were arrested.
Reports of police brutality against journalists is nothing new in Greece.
In June, riot police assaulted photographer Tatiana Bolari during a demonstration by dismissed cleaning ladies of the finance ministry in Athens.
Reports said that she was kicked to the ground by police, even though her attire and equipment clearly indicated she was a journalist.
Bolari was also attacked while covering demonstrations in 2011. A photo of that attack had drawn the attention of international media networks.
In September, the police officer involved in the incident received a suspended eight month prison sentence on charges of inflicting bodily harm.
In 2012, the President of Greek Photo-Reporters Union, Marios Lolos, underwent brain surgery due to an injury he suffered after being clubbed on the head by riot police while covering street demonstrations.
In 2011, Reporters Without Borders had deplored the decline in media freedom in Greece, urging police to uphold the right of journalists to cover street demonstrations.
This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso and its partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union. The project's page: Safety Net for European Journalists. A Transnational Support Network for Media Freedom in Italy and South-east Europe.
