Police brutality

A coroner investigating the death of a Nigerian man in police custody in downtown Athens on February 8 yesterday ruled that the 35-year-old had "ischemic-type myocardial lesions" as a result of drug abuse.

The U.N. human rights chief called on March 6 for a "full investigation" into the possible excessive use of force by French police during the "yellow vest" demonstrations.

An investigation into the death of a 34-year-old Nigerian man at the Omonia police precinct earlier this month has not found any signs of police violence, the Athens police headquarters (GADA) said on Saturday.

An ex-boxer who became a hero to some of France's "yellow vest" protesters after beating up police officers during a demonstration was convicted on Feb. 13 and given a one-year prison term.

The Greek Police (ELAS) has responded to allegations of excessive force used against protesters during Sunday's rally in Athens against the country's name deal with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Riot police spray tear gas at a group of educators and unionists during a protest rally in downtown Athens, on Monday. Similar clashes between riot squad officers and teachers at a rally on Friday have strained relations between the union representing police officers, who were accused of using excessive force, and the citizens' protection minister.

 An administrative inquiry into the actions of eight police officers responding to  a disturbance in downtown Athens that resulted in the death of LGBTQ activist Zak Kostopoulos in September recommends the dismissal of four of the officers, ANA-MPA said on Friday.

Anti-government protesters marched again on Saturday through the streets of the Serbian capital, condemning political violence in the country and demanding that the public broadcaster give them, and the topic, fairer treatment in its reports.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Dec. 9 said that he was against vandalism, however, he criticized the excessive force French police used against protestors and questioned the EU attitude towards France, addressing the European press stance as a "disaster".

Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters and arrested dozens while trying to tear down barricades on the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Dec. 1 as hundreds converged on the city for new demonstrations, with anger over fuel taxes morphing into a wide-ranging anti-government movement. Click through for the story in photos...