Vandals in Athens will be reined in, says Toskas

Amid a spike of protests and vandalism by self-styled anarchists, Alternate Citizens' Protection Minister Nikos Toskas has told Kathimerini that authorities have an overview of their activities and identities, and "will gradually immobilize them."

Commenting on a vandalism spree on the capital's Ermou Street last Monday night, which left dozens of storefronts shattered, Toskas denied reports that the police had been present but failed to intervene, claiming that the riot began suddenly, following a protest in solidarity with a jailed terrorism convict. "There is no hesitation in dealing with the hoodies," he said, using the colloquial expression for self-styled anarchists who cause trouble at protests. "It's just that sometimes, things happen that you don't have time to address," he said. Violent protests are not unusual in European cities, he added, referring to recent...