JANUARY 2013 BACK ISSUE by Angelos Tzortzinis A protester uses a flare pistol against riot police during clashes in a 48-hour general strike in Athens on February 12, 2012. During the last three years, Greece has been in the eye of the global economic storm. The immense Greek debt led the government to take immediate and cruel austerity measures targeting mostly the working middle class. Violence made its appearance in numerous protests in the Greek capital of Athens marked by clashes with riot police that left hundreds injured. This social unrest shows no sign of calming down and there are no signs of a clear and optimistic future for the country and its people. A protestor shouts as riot police throw tear gas in central Syntagma square during a massive demonstration against government's austerity policy  in Athens, Greece on June 15, 2011.  Riot police detain a demonstrator during a protest in Athens on March 5, 2010. An injured protestor kneels during clashes with riot police in central Athens, Greece on June 15, 2011. Protestors try to breathe after riot police threw tear gas during a massive demonstration against government's austerity policy in Athens on November 7, 2012. A protester wearing a gas mask shelters himself as he clashes with riot policemen outside the parliament building, during a 48-hour general strike in Athens, on February 12, 2012. Riot police detain a protestor during a massive demonstration against the government's austerity policy in Athens, Greece on June 15, 2011. A masked protestor wears his glove as severe clashes took place in central Athens, Greece, during a demonstration on June 28, 2011, marking the first 48-hour general strike in decades. Riot police block demonstrators during a demonstration against government's austerity policy in Athens on  Oct 18, 2012. Protestors try to breathe after riot police threw tear gas grenades in the central Syntagma metro station in Athens, Greece, where hundreds of protestors tried to find refuge during a demonstration on June 29, 2011, marking the first 48-hour general strike in decades. Protestors carry an unconscious protestor inside the central Syntagma metro station to a medical center run by volunteer doctors was based.  Athens, Greece on June 29, 2011 during a big demonstration. A protestor throws a marble piece at riot police during severe clashes in central Athens, Greece on on June 15, 2011. A protestor wearing a gas mask drags a plastic crate full of marble pieces next to a street barricade created by the protestors in central Athens, Greece during a demonstration on June 29, 2011. Demonstrators clash with riot police during a 48-hour general strike in Athens on June 15, 2011. A young protestor tries to recover after being attacked by riot police as severe clashes took place in central Athens, Greece during a massive demonstration against government's austerity policy on June 15, 2011. Protesters clash with riot police during a massive demonstration against the government's austerity policy in Athens on February 12, 2012. A protester holds a petrol bomb during a massive demonstration against government's austerity policy in Athens on November, 7 2012. Protesters run from tear gas during a demonstration against the new austerity measures, in Athens on November 7, 2012. Back to current issue