Anarchists burn Athens police vehicles

Suspected anarchists threw gasoline bombs at cars parked outside a central Athens police station on Thursday, destroying 12 vehicles in the latest in a series of arson attacks, authorities said.

Police said two patrol cars, four unmarked police cars and a police motorcycle were among the burned vehicles. There were no injuries or arrests.

The attack reportedly was carried out by a group of 30 to 40 masked youths in the capital's Exarcheia district, a traditional stronghold for anarchists. The youths escaped on foot.

Anarchists have stepped up arson attacks to show solidarity with inmate protests in Greek penitentiaries that began after guards allegedly beat an anarchist bank robbery suspect.

Police said order was restored in all prisons Thursday when about 200 inmates at Malandrinos prison in central Greece _ where the alleged beating took place _ returned to their cells after four days of protests.