Clash: demonstrators conflict with riot police in Athens over austerity cuts and the suicide of a rioter
Protesters clashed with riot police in Athens after public anger
flared over the suicide of an impoverished pensioner who said he could
no longer cope because of government cuts.
The 77-year-old shot himself dead opposite Greece’s parliament during
rush hour yesterday, leaving a suicide note blasting politicians for
slashing his pension to nothing.
Media named him as Dimitris Christoulas, a retired chemist with a wife and a daughter who had sold his pharmacy in 1994.
According to reports, his note read: “I see no other solution than this dignified end to my life, so I don’t find myself fishing through rubbish cans for my sustenance.”
A shrine including flowers and handwritten tributes sprang up at the spot where he died in Syntagma Square. But violence erupted overnight as about 1,500 people gathered to protest.
Demonstrators hurled rocks and petrol bombs at police, who responded by firing tear gas. The crowd chanted: “This was not a suicide, it was a state-perpetrated murder,” and: “Blood flows and seeks revenge.”
Among the notes left on the shrine was: “Austerity kills.” More protests are planned today.
Greece has implemented harsh austerity measures, slashing pensions, services and salaries while raising taxes, in order to secure financial bailouts to stave off bankruptcy.
But the belt-tightening has worsened the recession and led to thousands of job losses, leaving one in five Greeks out of work. Suicides have increased.
In his note Mr Christoulas said he had paid into his pension for 35 years, adding: “The government has annihilated all traces for my survival.”
Vassilis Papadopoulos, a spokesman for anti-cuts group I Won’t Pay said: “For him to reach the point of suicide ... shows how the social fabric is unravelling.”
Prime minister Lucas Papademos said: “It is tragic. In these difficult hours we must all, state and citizens, support the people who are desperate.”
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Media named him as Dimitris Christoulas, a retired chemist with a wife and a daughter who had sold his pharmacy in 1994.
According to reports, his note read: “I see no other solution than this dignified end to my life, so I don’t find myself fishing through rubbish cans for my sustenance.”
A shrine including flowers and handwritten tributes sprang up at the spot where he died in Syntagma Square. But violence erupted overnight as about 1,500 people gathered to protest.
Demonstrators hurled rocks and petrol bombs at police, who responded by firing tear gas. The crowd chanted: “This was not a suicide, it was a state-perpetrated murder,” and: “Blood flows and seeks revenge.”
Among the notes left on the shrine was: “Austerity kills.” More protests are planned today.
Greece has implemented harsh austerity measures, slashing pensions, services and salaries while raising taxes, in order to secure financial bailouts to stave off bankruptcy.
But the belt-tightening has worsened the recession and led to thousands of job losses, leaving one in five Greeks out of work. Suicides have increased.
In his note Mr Christoulas said he had paid into his pension for 35 years, adding: “The government has annihilated all traces for my survival.”
Vassilis Papadopoulos, a spokesman for anti-cuts group I Won’t Pay said: “For him to reach the point of suicide ... shows how the social fabric is unravelling.”
Prime minister Lucas Papademos said: “It is tragic. In these difficult hours we must all, state and citizens, support the people who are desperate.”
LONDON EVENING STANDARD
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