Dozens evicted, three arrested in Exarchia squat raids

The Greek Police (ELAS) on Monday activated a much-touted plan to evacuate squats in abandoned buildings in the downtown Athens district of Exarchia.

The operation, which began at the crack of dawn, led to the removal of 143 migrants from two of four occupied buildings located on Spyrou Trikoupi, Kallidromiou and Fotila streets.

The evictees - 35 of which are minors - consist of migrant and refugee families from Iraq, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Turkey, and were staying at two squats on Spyrou Trikoupi and Fotila.

All of them were transferred to the Aliens' Bureau on Petrou Ralli Street for identification. Most have already applied for asylum and will be transferred to state-run shelters.

The other two buildings that were cleared, on Kallidromiou Street, had been occupied by self-styled anarchists. Police arrested two Greeks, aged 41 and 57, and a 65-year...

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