Greek Finance Minister Attacked by Anarchists in Athens

Yanis Varoufakis, the Greek finance minister, was attacked by anarchists at a restaurant in the Greek capital last night, as he was dining with his wife and a friend, according to Reuters news agency.

A statement released by the finance ministry, said that a group of left-wing activists threw "glass objects" at the couple's table, and Danae Stratou, the minister's wife, hugged Varoufakis to protect him from the attackers.

No injuries were reported, and the activists, who had their faces covered, reportedly told the group to leave "their area".

The incident took place in the Exarchia district, a bohemian part of Athens which has been the site of numerous political riots, with protesters reportedly hurling petrol bombs at police cars as recently as 7th April.

Varoufakis said that the attackers left the restaurant "continuing their curses and threats, got out of the courtyard and waited for us outside."

"I started a dialogue with them, saying that I wanted to hear them out, even if that meant that I would be hit. After 15 minutes of a tense but non-violent talk spirits calmed."

"They retreated fast continuing their curses and threats, got out of the courtyard and waited for us outside the restaurant," Varoufakis added.

Varoufakis has been an outspoken in his objections to the reforms expected of Greece by the troika of the International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank, and the European Commission.

He found himself sidelined on Monday after failing to agree to a reform deal by a crucial deadline last Friday, in which the Greek government were hoping to release emergency funding. The Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has since reshuffled his negotiating team.