Macedonian Police, Migrants Clash in Idomeni

Southeast Europe | April 11, 2016, Monday // 08:29|  views

Macedonian police officers try to protect themselves and the border fence near Gevgelia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on 10 April 2016, after being attacked by refugees and migrants at Idomeni, from the Greek side of the border, near Gevgelia

Macedonian police clashed with migrants who attempted to illegally enter into Macedonia from Greece on Sunday.

The clash occurred at the Idomeni refugee camp at the Greek-Macedonian border where thousands of migrants have been stranded for weeks after the closure of the Western Balkan route.

Macedonian police had to use tear gas, rubber bullets, stun grenades and later water cannon to disperse and prevent the migrants from entering.

Macedonian authorities claim that they responded after the migrants had thrown stones at them.

According to the Macedonian Information Agency (MIA), three groups each of between 500 and 700 people simultaneously attempted to cross the border and damaged the fence.

Greece condemned the action of Macedonian police, while Doctors Without Borders said it had treated around 300 people who had sustained injuries.

The majority of them were treated for respiratory problems caused by tear gas. Among them were men, women and children under the age of five.

More than thirty people were treated for rubber bullets and ten claimed to have been beaten by Macedonian police.

Thirty people were treated for shock and other injuries and several were admitted to hospital with more serious wounds.

Reportedly, leaflets in Arabic were distributed to the migrants on Saturday urging them to cross the border.

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Tags: macedonia, greece, Idomeni, migrants, refugee camp, border, fence

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