Thousands of angry refugees trapped on the island of Lesbos clashed with police on Saturday. Many of the people on the island have been trapped there for two weeks in squalid conditions. They have repeatedly tried to exit by force, however are being kept there until they are registered – a long and grueling process for Greek authorities.

In the latest round of clashes there was a sense of deja vu as 500 Aghan asylum seekers protested at the port, heading towards the “Tera Jet” that they tried to enter without having the relevant documents.

The riot squad tried to control the refugees with batons. The refugees threw water bottles and stones at the police. They have often taken to the port, yelling “Athens! Athens!”

“Please, Greek authorities, let us leave the island,” they say. “We just want to go to Athens. We just want freedom. The Greek authorities have one office with just one computer to process the documents of these thousands of people.”

Many sleep in tents on the street or around the port. Hygiene leaves a lot to be expected and the stench of urine is everywhere. Heat makes it unbearable during the day.