Greek police apprehended 27 people during protests at the Katsika refugee reception center in the area of Ioannina, Northern Greece, Thursday. Tensions are still high at the hotspot, after about 200 refugees and illegal migrants, urged by members of solidarity groups had blocked Egnatia Avenue on Wednesday. Raging refugees and migrants from the reception center in Katsika threatened the lives of Greek soldiers appointed to guard the facility by hurling rocks at them. Police finally moved in to disperse the protesters occupying the highway under a barrage of rocks and beams by the refugees and freed the passage for motorists. According to local media, there were 2 Spanish nationals among the refugees and migrants. Prior to the police operation to clear the road, refugee protesters were negotiating with the Mayor of Ioaniton demanding better living conditions at the center.