Berlin, November 5, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns the actions of riot police who threw reporter Giorgos Androutsou to the ground, beat, and dragged him, as he was covering a protest by firefighters in the capital Athens.
“Greek authorities must conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the circumstances of riot police’s attack and arrest on journalist Giorgos Androutsou and hold those responsible accountable,” said Attila Mong, CPJ’s Europe representative. “Authorities must ensure that police officers give protection to journalists while they cover protests, rather than harassing and detaining them.”
The October 31 clashes broke out when riot police used tear gas to end a sit-in by the firefighters, who were demanding permanent job contracts, at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection. Video footage showed Androutsou, a journalist for the Communist Party of Greece’s newspaper Rizospastis, being assaulted by police as he and nearby protesters shouted out that he was a journalist. He was handcuffed and detained for several hours before being released without charge on November 1.
Androutsou reported that he sustained minor injuries, including abrasions to his hand, and had filed a complaint against the police.
CPJ’s email requesting comment from the Hellenic Police did not receive a response.