Violent clashes in Idomeni: FYROM officers violate Greek territory and fire tear gas at refugees (pics+vid)

The tension accumulated over the past months in Idomeni erupted into violence on Sunday, when FYROM authorities responded to refugees protesting at Greek-FYROM border with tear gas, flash grenades and rubber bullets.

According to information, the unrest started after a brochure was released in Arabic calling on the refugees in Idomeni to gather at the border and attempt to cross it on Sunday morning. The Greek police was informed about that attempt and tried to prevent the refugees, but, as they said, did not want to use excessive force.

The refugees gathered and protested peacefully against the closed borders. Later on, a delegation of five refugees went to negotiate with the FYROM authorities. But, about then minutes later the violent clashes broke out.

FYROM police officers entered Greek territory to remove the refugees and immigrants protesting, including many children, and fired tear gas, flash grenades and rubber bullets.

The video broadcast by MEGA TV channel shows clearly that FYROM police are in front of the fence.

However, the Greek Ministry of Defense claims that according to their information, there has not been any violation of Greek border.
“The indiscriminate use of chemicals, rubber bullets and stun grenades against vulnerable populations, and particularly without reasons for such force, is a dangerous and deplorable act,” said Giorgos Kyritsis, spokesman for migration coordinators.

“Clashes, tear gas, desperation at Idomeni are symptoms of Europe’s disease when it comes to refugees,” said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s deputy Europe director, as DW reports. “As long as people are not offered a solution, a path to safety, and they are forced to sleep in the mud, this will only get worse. Europe has to offer refugees relocation urgently, and they have to stay in dignified reception facilities while they wait.”

People were fainting, including children, while tear gas reached the tents where women and children were sitting. By early evening, Doctors Without Borders reported treating at least 300 people for tear gas and trauma, DW says.

The Greek authorities have condemned the “indiscriminate” force being used against refugees by FYROM police.

“The indiscriminate use of chemicals, rubber bullets and stun grenades against vulnerable populations, and particularly without reasons for such force, is a dangerous and deplorable act,” said Giorgos Kyritsis, spokesman for migration coordinators.

“Clashes, tear gas, desperation at Idomeni are symptoms of Europe’s disease when it comes to refugees,” said Gauri van Gulik, Amnesty International’s deputy Europe director, as DW reports. “As long as people are not offered a solution, a path to safety, and they are forced to sleep in the mud, this will only get worse. Europe has to offer refugees relocation urgently, and they have to stay in dignified reception facilities while they wait.”