Athens, December 3 (RHC)-- At least 15 people have been arrested after clashes broke out between riot police and demonstrators who were rallying in support of a jailed student in Greece. Between 8,000 and 10,000 people marched through central Athens on Tuesday in a show of support for the young imprisoned protester, Nikos Romanos, who has been on a hunger strike over the right to be able to attend university.

Media reports showed protesters smashing cars, setting fire to bins and cars and barricading streets. Meanwhile, security forces fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the demonstrators. Police arrested at least 15 people in the Exarchia neighborhood in downtown Athens.

On November 10th, Nikos Romanos began a hunger strike and is now hospitalized. The jailed student leader demanded to make use of the right to educational furloughs after being accepted into a university. However, prison authorities denied his request.

Debt-laden Greece hopes to exit a six-year recession this year. The country nearly went bankrupt in 2010, only to survive on international rescue packages. Greece had to accept tough austerity measures and economic reforms in return for the bailouts.

Greeks have lost about a third of their disposable income since the debt crisis erupted in 2009, and unemployment has soared, leaving more than one in four without a job.