Third protest in Crete against destruction of Syrian chemical weapons off island

Hundreds of people gathered in Sfakia, Crete, on Sunday to protest against the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons in the Mediterranean.

The demonstration, attended by hundreds of people, was timed to coincide with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reportedly starting the process of destroying the weapons.

The toxic substances were be placed on a ship with systems that can carry out the process of hydrolysis that will convert the chemicals into less dangerous substances. It is expected that some 20 tons of mustard gas and neurotoxic agents will be destroyed.

The government says it has received assurances from all those involved that the process is safe and will not lead to any pollution.

The protest on Sunday was the third against the process.