Greece is investigating reports of police brutality after footage shared widely online appears to show officers beating a man in the southern suburb of Nea Smyrni.
In an announcement, police say that a motorcycle patrol were called to Nea Smyrni just before 3 p.m. on Sunday to investigate “multiple reports” of violations of lockdown measures.
Police fired teargas and flash bombs to disperse the crowds. At least 11 people were temporarily detained.
An internal police probe has been ordered into the case while a prosecutor has also launched a preliminary investigation, Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said in a statement on Monday.
"Senseless violence cannot be justified. We are adamant about that," Chrysohoidis said.
He also characterised the statements from SYRIZA and MERA 25 as "ridiculous", adding that democracy is "endangered" by such behaviours.
There are contradictory reports on the circumstances of the incident.
Witnesses said some people were protesting against the imposition of a fine, then suddenly they were being attacked by policemen with batons.
"The boy was on the floor as they were beating him up. They could have just hand-cuffed him, why were they beating him? I'm furious," an unidentified woman told state TV.
A rally protesting police violence took place later on Sunday at the main Nea Smyrni Square, with over 500 reported as taking part.
*More on GCT: Arrests in Nea Smyrni
