Six arrests in Thessaloniki during 90th Thessaloniki International Fair demonstrations
Nine people were brought in during the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair gatherings, of which six resulted in arrests. Four concern drug possession and one involves an outstanding conviction for fraud.
Arrests and 175 checks during Fair mobilisations
According to newspaper Ta Nea, nine people were brought in by Greek police during yesterday's large gatherings in Thessaloniki, as part of mobilisations for the opening of the 90th Thessaloniki International Fair. Of the nine people brought in, six were arrested.
Four of those arrested face charges of drug possession. In one additional case, authorities identified a person who had with him both narcotic substances and a knife. The sixth arrest concerns a man against whom there was an outstanding court conviction of 12 months' imprisonment for fraud. All those arrested are expected to appear before the prosecutor today.
Police conducted a total of 175 checks in the perimeter of the city centre. In several cases, police officers asked demonstrators carrying rucksacks to open them in order to locate any sharp objects or items that could cause incidents.
Despite the large number of participants, the demonstrations proceeded generally peacefully, without serious incidents. Police forces had blocked access to the venue where the prime minister presented government announcements.
Political leaders and party representatives participated in the mobilisations. At CHANTI square was the general secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, Dimitris Koutsoumpas, as well as Dimitris Natsios with officials from Victory. At Aristotle Square gathered members of GSEE, ADEDY and workers' unions, and also present were Rena Douro, Zoe Konstantopoulou and Gabriel Sakellaridis. At Kamara gathered groups from the extra-parliamentary Left and the anti-authoritarian space.
The different routes converged at the southern gate of the Fair, around the "Ioannis Vellidis" conference centre. Shortly after 21:00, the main streets of Thessaloniki were opened again to traffic and eight metro stations that had remained closed since 15:00 due to security measures reopened.
Source: Ta Nea