Islanders opposed to new migrant centre clash with police for second day

Police and protesters clashed on the Greek island of Lesbos on Wednesday against the creation of a new closed detention centre for migrants. It is the second day of clashes between protesters and police near the site where the new reception centre is being built. A police spokesman said police fired tear gas in response to protesters throwing stones.

Earlier in the day, hundreds of people demonstrated in the main town of Mytilene as part of a general strike against the new centre. The government is replacing overcrowded camps with detention centres for newly arrived migrants to be processed. An official said on Wednesday the average stay in the detention centre would be four months. But locals are concerned the new centres could become permanent and swell like the camps.