Protester dead during the riots

A 53 year-old PAME unionist was taken to hospital without a pulse or respiration, according to the official medical statement.

The death of the 53-year-old did not occur due to shock or injury, but due to the fact that the protester felt discomfort after chemicals were used at Syntagma Square. He was taken to Zappeio at first, where he was picked up by an ambulance which in turn transported him to Evangelismos hospital in critical condition.

Despite their efforts, doctors failed to resuscitate him.

PAME members report that Dimitris Kotsaridis inhaled large amounts of chemicals and thus will request a coroner’s report on the cause of death.

Late in the afternoon, however, the head of the Athens First Instance Court Prosecution, Mrs. Eleni Raikou, ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the demonstrator.

Earlier in Syntagma, scenes of unprecedented cruelty unfolded between a group of anarchists which attacked members of PAME with stones, sticks and petrol bombs, which fell into the crowd!

According to reports, however, 74 people have been taken to Evangelismos hospital since this morning.

Police report on the death of the 53 year old man

“Around 16:00 hours in Zappeion, an individual approached a police officer and informed him that he felt unwell and then proceeded to sit on the bench that was next to the officer. At this point three (3) more people approached, who tried to help him, while at 16:07 hours the officer called an ambulance. Around 16:23 hours a first aid motorcycle came on scene and at 16:30 hours the ambulance arrived, which transported him to Evangelismos hospital.

"Since this morning and until 17:00 hours Police forces did not operate in Amalias Street between Othonos Street and up to Olgas Street, and thus no use of chemicals was made in Zappeion”.

Antonis Samaras: “Our greatest weapons are restraint and composure”

“The raw violence of masked men cost a man his life, at a time when the government has lost control. My deepest condolences to his family. Our greatest weapons are restraint and composure”.

Michalis Timosidis: “With sobriety, we remain calm”

“On behalf of the government I am expressing our sincere condolences for the death of the 53-year-old, who was taken to Evangelismos hospital from Zappeion without a pulse. The medical review did not reveal any trauma. With sobriety, we remain calm”.

Aleka Papariga: “Pre-planned murderous attack”

“A pre-planned murderous attack against PAME by state and other organizations” was Mrs. Aleka Papariga’s complaint, speaking in parliament on the extensive attacks and the melee which ensued in Syntagma Square, after the attack launched against PAME by masked protesters.

The Secretary General of the Communist party of Greece considered that there will be new attacks, which as she clarified will fail.

Additionally, Mrs. Papariga blamed SYRIZA for its role, suggesting that “they tend to wear its own masks, thinking that they will attain election victory that way”.

Furthermore, she stated: “At the time when heads were being split open, KOKKINO radio station (the property of SYRIZA), was stating that “PAME is not the proprietor of Syntagma” instead of condemning the hood-wearing individuals”.

Mrs. Papariga also found that the masked attacks are stimulated by the “parliamentary far right, which derives its forces from the Police, as well as the far left…. Wearing a mask, for some, means it’s time to revolt”.