Sputnik Stringer Hurt In Athens Protests

ATHENS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st January, 2019) A reporter working for Sputnik was hurt and had his camera taken away by a raving mob during protests in Athens on Sunday.

Kostis Dadamis was covering a massive demonstration in the Greek capital against the deal on Macedonia's name change when a group of protesters demanded that he gave them his camera.

He declined and was chased down the street together with other reporters who had stood up for him. The journalists were rounded up and beaten.

Dadamis was hospitalized and says he is in stable condition after getting a head scan at an Athens clinic.

A cameraman of Greece's public broadcaster ERT was seriously injured earlier on Sunday when an angry crowd assaulted the crew filming the protests.

Over 60,000 people rallied in downtown Athens, days before lawmakers vote on the deal with Macedonia that will see it renamed to the Republic of North Macedonia.

Violent protesters - which police claim are members of the right-wing Golden Dawn party - clashed with officers outside of the parliament building. Police responded with tear gas.