A row broke between Greek communist party KKE and the government after media broadcast of a video footage showing damages in the labour ministry apparently caused by the party’s unionists PAME during Wednesday’s occupation.
Video: broadcast by Skai TV, displaying the pictures given by Labour Ministry
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PAME denied the government’s claims that Labor Ministry offices were damaged during the protest. The union said the damage in the ministry was done by police as a “provocation” against unionists and “government authoritarianism”..
PAME released a series of pictures and claims they show step by step how the damages were ‘doctored’ and ’caused by the police’.
In statements Wednesday KKE spokesman Thanassis Pafilis slammed the ministry’s “vulgar propaganda” and asked police to release footage taken during the operation.
35 members of PAME will appear before the prosecutor on Thursday morning and face charges of disturbing peace and damaging public property. Hundreds of supporters have gathered outside Evelpidon court in Athens to show solidarity with the detainees. Protesters have been carrying banners demanding the immediate release of the unionists.
According to Greek media reports, the prosecutor forbad Aleka Papariga, general secretary of KKE, to enter the court room, where the trail will take place.
UPDATE: the 35 unionists were released and their trial has been postponed for middle February. The charges were modified only for ‘illegal staying in a public facility’, while the prosecutor ordered investigation about who caused the damages.
Police dismissed KKE’s accusations, that riot police caused the damages.
