Anarchist squats spread in Exarchia

The drastic rise in the number of anarchist squats in abandoned homes in the Exarchia district of Athens is fueling concern among local residents who say police appear unwilling or unable to intervene.

"[Police] told us that they have been informed about the issue and that they are giving time to owners to state, in written form, whether they are for or against the squat, before they intervene," one local told Kathimerini Thursday.

Residents say the youngsters, who describe themselves as anarchists, are using the squats to spread their anti-establishment rhetoric and that they usually target buildings or homes whose owners have died and there are no claims by beneficiaries, as was the case with a property on Kallidromiou Street last week, which became the latest addition to the growing list of squats.

The house was taken over by a group - which goes by the name of...