Greek police defy colleagues in austerity protests September 6, 2012 - 17:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greek police protesting against austerity cuts blocked the entrance to the riot police headquarters on Thursday, September 6 preventing buses carrying riot police from leaving for the site of major demonstrations this weekend, Reuters said. Scuffles broke out as riot police tried to clear the entrance of several dozen police union members - many in uniform - chanting anti-austerity slogans and holding banners. "They would not let riot police buses depart for Thessaloniki," a police official said, referring to the northern city hosting a weekend trade fair where anti-austerity demonstrations are planned. Some riot police appeared reluctant to tackle uniformed officers. "They make us fight against our own brothers," said one riot policeman who declined to be named. The government plans to slash police pay in a new round of spending cuts worth nearly 12 billion euros over the next two years. The savings plan is expected to provoke new street protests in the coming weeks by austerity-weary Greeks fed up with repeated wage and pension cuts. Police, firefighters and coast guard officers plan to hold a separate protest later on Thursday in central Athens. Partner news  Top stories Only three senators on the committee - Republican Ron Paul and Democrats Tom Udall and Chris Murphy - opposed the bill. If true, the exclusion of Rafsanjani and Mashaie would leave the presidential race dominated by hardline conservatives. Amy Elliott, chief administrative officer of the Oklahoma medical examiner's office, said 51 were confirmed dead. An Islamist insurgency, once confined largely to the republic of Chechnya, has spread across the North Caucasus in recent years.   Partner news |  Latest news Penguin reaches $75mln agreement in iBooks price fixing lawsuit  In a press release, Penguin's parent company, Pearson, noted it had made a $40 million provision for settlement in its 2012 accounts.Baku says OSCE Minsk Group activity yielded “certain results” Bahar Muradova says the report of the political committee of the OSCE PA summer session comprises provisions on the conflict.Armenia loses to Switzerland at Hungary-hosted football tournament Armenia’s U 17 football team lost to Switzerland 1:6 at Hungary tournament, with Armenia’s only goal scored by Davit Terteryan.Armenian government files lawsuit against Armavia Finance Minister linked the step with the collection of air taxes. He further noted that lawsuits were filed by other lenders, too. |
