Battle renewed as youths clash with Greek police

Authorities' reaction was tougher than in previous demonstrations, with riot police dragging youths into police buses and charging at demonstrators.

Police said 33 people had been detained, and three of those were later formally arrested. The rest would be released, authorities said.

Earlier, local media had reported more than 60 people had been detained, and at least five were injured. Protesters said many of those detained, including a group of lawyers, had not been involved in any violence.

"They treated the lawyers as if they were the people who were throwing stones or petrol bombs," said Dimitris Vervesos, vice-president of the Athens Bar Association. He said all the attorneys were released.

But after more than a month of frequent demonstrations, tempers were clearly frayed. Riot police scuffled with journalists and local residents, spraying some with tear gas during one attempt to detain suspects. Nearby, heated arguments broke out between residents and youths setting trash bins on fire to ward off the effects of tear gas.

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