Police officers came under attack from a group of Roma following the pursuit of a suspicious vehicle in the Athens suburb of Ano Liosia on Thursday afternoon.

According to the Athens General Police Directorate (GADA), officers spotted a suspicious vehicle at around 3:20 p.m. and signaled for the driver to stop for inspection.

However, the driver ignored police orders and initially attempted to ram the patrol car before speeding away from the scene. A pursuit followed through the area until officers located the suspect vehicle parked.

Police officers, joined by reinforcements that had arrived at the scene, attempted to inspect the vehicle but were then attacked with stones and wooden sticks by a group of around 80 people, of Roma origin, who emerged from a nearby settlement.

During the attack, one police officer was injured and transported to the 401 Military General Hospital with injuries caused by a stone strike and a bite wound.

Authorities proceeded with three detentions in connection with the incident — two women and one man, who according to initial reports is believed to be the driver of the suspicious vehicle that failed to stop for inspection.