Authorities arrest 54-year-old man in attack on gold mining company in Greece

2/18/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

THESSALONIKI, Greece  — Greek police say they have arrested a 54-year-old man in connection with a weekend attack against a gold mining company in which about 40 masked intruders torched machinery and vehicles.

Authorities said today the man was arrested on charges of “moral instigation” for the attack, due to his contributions to an anti-mining blog. More than 30 people were detained but later released.

The mining company, Hellas Gold, is 95 percent owned by Canada's Eldorado Gold Inc.

The attackers targeted the company's prospective gold mine and processing plant in the northern Halkidiki peninsula, where opposition to the project runs deep.

Residents are divided between those who fear environmental destruction and those who support the mine for its job prospects at a time of severe financial crisis and spiraling unemployment.