Police, Greeks clash over construction of migrant camps

ATHENS: Clashes broke out on two Greek islands early on Tuesday between police and residents protesting the construction of migrant detention centres as the government vowed to press ahead with the project.

Incidents were reported on Lesbos and Chios, outlying Greek islands on the front line of a migratory flow of refugees and asylum seekers.

Earlier government spokesman Stelios Petsas told Open TV that

“the machinery and personnel have arrived at the locations where the works are to begin. We ask local communities to understand that the creation of closed facilities will benefit the country and local society.”

At Chios harbour on Mesta, some hooded protesters threw stones as scores of riot police disembarked, TV footage showed.

Residents have parked cars and garbage trucks on roads leading to the camp sites, which are to house up to 7,000 people each, in an attempt to hobble their construction.

“There are roadblocks. We will intervene where necessary,” a police source said.

Witnesses said about 500 people attempted to block the unloading of heavy machinery overnight to break ground at a construction site on Lesbos.

Clashes on the streets followed, with residents attempting to block access to the construction site, and police used teargas. Similar tensions were reported on Chios.

Authorities say closed centres will offer greater public safety and limit potential health risks.

That concern was particularly pertinent because of the spread of coronavirus, said Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas.

“It is clearly evident that matters such as the coronavirus can be dealt with swiftly and effectively in a closed facility and not an anarchic, open facility which is a health time bomb,” Petsas said.

The Moria camp on Lesbos accommodates more than 18,000 people in conditions aid organisations say are appalling.

As of midday on Tuesday, Greece had no confirmed cases of coronavirus.