Anti-government protests against a new penal code bill turned violent with tear gas and Molotov bombs being thrown on the streets of Thessaloniki.

Protesters set up barricades with burning trash bins and blocked a road outside of a hospital in the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, while they also burned a Greek flag.

Police forces that arrived at the scene got attacked by hooded protesters with stones and Molotov cocktails, riot police responded using tear gas and stun grenades.

The atmosphere in the city centre became suffocating with drivers and passersby running between tear gas and stone warfare while several vehicles were damaged. Earlier, hooded protesters smashed showcases in supermarkets and currency exchanges.

Greece: Anti-government protest against new penal code bill turns violent with tear gas and molotov bombs - Clashes between protesters and riot police after the end of a march against the new criminal code passed in Greek Parliament on Thursday night 22.02

Protesters set up barricades with burning trash bins and blocked a road outside of a hospital in the city of Thessaloniki in northern Greece, while they also burned a Greek flag.

Police forces that arrived at the scene got attacked by hooded protesters with stones and molotov cocktails, riot police responded using tear gas and stun grenades.

The atmosphere in the city center became suffocating with drivers and passers-by running between tear gas and stone warfare while several vehicles were damaged. Earlier, hooded protesters smashed showcases in supermarkets and currency exchanges.