Anti-mining protesters clash with Greek police; 78 arrested

THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Police in Greece say they have arrested 78 anti-mining protesters, mostly foreigners, involved in clashes outside a Greek gold mine.

Police said about 1,000 protesters marched toward the mining operation in the northern region of Halkidiki. Many started pelting the police force with rocks and bolts and threw firebombs.

The police gave chase for more than 2 kilometers (a mile). In a bus that had carried protesters, police say they found more than 100 big bolts, as well as slings. The arrested include German, British, Italian and Bulgarian nationals.

Protesters say the police, unprovoked, fired stun grenades and tear gas.

The Canadian-run mining operation has been suspended by the Greek government, which claims it has violated technical standards. The company, Hellenic Gold, has furloughed nearly 2,000 employees.

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