Greek police detain 22 in Athens for 'unauthorized protest'

ISTANBUL

Greek police detained at least 22 people for participating in an "unauthorized demonstration" in the capital Athens, local media reported on Sunday.

A group of around 250 people held a protest in front of the parliament building at Syntagma Square despite a ban on public assemblies announced by police, according to the Greek state broadcaster ERT.

Some 22 people were detained after protesters began hurling objects at riot police, prompting officers to respond with tear gas to disperse the crowd, the broadcaster said.

The demonstration was reportedly organized by the "Constitutional Assembly – Direct Democracy" movement and the "Community of Reservist Special Forces."

Authorities had preemptively banned the gathering, citing a “serious threat” to public order and safety, particularly given its timing during the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a major tourist site, according to the broadcaster.