Papakosta comes under fire for comparing Exarchia to Montmartre

Deputy Citizens' Protection Minister Katerina Papakosta has come under fire for comparing the anarchist stronghold of Exarchia, where residents are protesting rising lawlessness,to the Parisian district of Montmartre.

In comments to the Athens-Macedonia news agency on Sunday, Papakosta described Exarchia as "a historic neighborhood, a center for arts and culture, the capital's Montmartre."

She was responding to questions about a recent botched operation by coast guard officers in Exarchia which underlined a lack of coordination between security forces and the growing boldness of criminal elements in the area.

Papakosta insisted that the government would display "minimum tolerance opposite lawlessness" and insisted that the Geek Police operates "methodically and with respect for human rights."

Her comments came a few hours after self-styled anarchists...