Riot police used tear gas to break up a demonstration at the Hellas gold mining company in Skouries, Halkidiki on Thursday. According to reports, officials arrested five suspects on suspicion of being part of an arson attack on the offices and vehicles in February.
The arrests apparently triggered clashes between local residents and the riot police.
Speaking to SKAI channel on Thursday afternoon, police spokesman Christos Manouras denied allegations that his units fired tear gas in the village and noted that chemicals were only used to clear a roadblock preventing the police from reaching the village.
It should be reminded that in February more than 36 people were detained by the police in connection to the arson attack against the offices of Hellas Gold. According to reports at the time, about 50 anarchists were involved in the raid, which led to a number of vehicles and small buildings (security) being torched. One of the culprits, a 54-year-old local resident, (and rumored to be a member of the SYRIZA party) was reported to also have been arrested but was released later. Police believe that there is evidence linking him to the attack.
The testimonies from two guards who were on duty during the raid is also shocking. Apparently the anarchists tied them up and then doused with flammable liquid, threatening to burn them alive. The assailants were also carrying guns, which they used to take out some security cameras. Authorities apparently collected evidence from the scene of the attack and sent the results to forensic labs. At the same time they gathered droplets of blood, a ski mask, cigarette butts, a torch and a surgical mask.
The Skouries mining project has been strongly opposed by some locals, environmental groups and political parties over fears of the lasting damage it could do to the local environment. Hellenic Gold, which is 95-percent owned by Canadian Eldorado Gold, insists that the mine is legal and has all the necessary environmental permits.
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