Golden Dawn clash with police over Corinth migrant centre

Corinth - As Corinthians voiced their opposition to an army camp being used as a migrant detention centre, Golden Dawn members and supporters obstructed police bringing migrants into the camp.

Amid vociferous local protests to the former barracks of the 6th Infantry Regiment in Corinth being used as a migrant detention centre, supporters of Golden Dawn obstructed police entering the camp with arrested illegal immigrants. Police were transferring between 200 - 250 illegals arrested during the current round up of undocumented migrants. Athens News reported the protest was led by Golden Dawn MP Efstathios Boukouras, who placed himself in front of a truck carrying migrants. Golden Dawn released a statement saying it opposed military centres being turned into “tourism centers for illegal immigrants.” According to Ekathimerini there were reports that "Corinth Municipality cut off the camp’s water supply and is refusing to collect its garbage." Police had to call in riot police to assist, and fighting broke out between police and Golden Dawn supporters. Xryshavgi reported police used tear gas. Golden Dawn MP Ilias Kasidiaris raised the issue before the Standing Committee on Public Administration, Public Order and Justice. He stressed that the only viable solution to the issue of illegal immigration is deportation. In areas where migrant detention centres are proposed, or opening, there is a swell of public opinion against the sites. At a time when the average Greek person is suffering under intense austerity there are objections that locals are being deprived of precious health service resources and other primary needs, which are then diverted to migrants.