Greek riot police raid Athens metro depot to enforce emergency order ending strike

ATHENS, Greece – Greek riot police have stormed the Athens subway train depot, where striking workers had barricaded themselves in.

The operation comes after the government issued an emergency order to force them to end an eight-day strike in an escalating standoff over austerity measures.

Police broke through the gates and removed dozens of strikers in the pre-dawn raid on Friday. Authorities blocked off roads leading to the depot in western Athens to prevent hundreds of strike supporters who began arriving from getting to the depot.

The government invoked emergency powers Thursday, issuing a civil mobilization order against the metro workers who have been protesting salary cuts. Those defying the order and refusing to return to work risk dismissal, arrest and jail time.