Lesvos

Residents of the Greek island of Chios will join a protest against the government's migration policy to be held in Athens on Tuesday, December 5, officials said Wednesday.

The rally, which will take place outside the Ministry for Migration Policy on Klafthmonos Square in the center of the capital, has been called by authorities on the eastern Aegean island of Lesvos.

Riots broke out last night at the Lesvos refugee-immigration reception and identification centre in Moria. According to police sources, the incident started at midnight and lasted until the morning. The UNHCR premises for refugees sustained damage, as did an area that belonged to an NGO. A public prosecutor accompanied by a strong police force intervened to defuse the situation.

Lesvos has become a magnet for bicycle-riding Turkish holidaymakers this summer, and municipal authorities say large numbers of Turks have been traveling to the northeastern Aegean island specifically for this purpose over the past few months.

Former Barcelona stars will take part in a friendly match against veterans of the Greek national squad on Lesvos to honor the eastern Aegean island's role during the ongoing refugee crisis.

Teams will face off at the municipal stadium of Mytilene, the island's capital, on Thursday at 6.30 p.m.