Power union leader detained - The Best from Greece

The leader of Greece's electricity workers' union has been detained by police, after they forced an end to a four-day blockade on Thursday of a Public Power Corporation (DEI) logistics office where disconnection orders are issued.

 

Nikos Fotopoulos and 13 other Genop-DEI union officials were detained for questioning after up to 80 MAT riot police scuffled with protesters and forced the building in Holargos, northern Athens, to reopen.

 

"We will not back down in our struggle. This fight is about the whole of Greek society. It is about not cutting power to the homes of the poor, the unemployed, the pensioners," Fotopoulos said before being detained.

 

"The fight will continue till the end. This law will become invalid in practice, with the help of all the people."

 

Clashes erupted between police and the Genop protestors, who occupied the premises on Monday.

Police struggled to detain the union leader who refused to enter as police car, until he was forced into the vehicle by several officers.

 

The Genop-DEI union, already at odds with the government over privatisation plans, has promised to protect low-income households from disconnection if they are unable to pay the new property tax included on their electricity bills.

 

The government has also agreed to delay disconnections so it can review valid exemption claims. (Athens News/gw, Reuters)