Greek riot police have stormed the former headquarters of the state broadcaster ERT and detained at least four people.

The overnight raid, which involved scuffles and the use of tear gas, was to end an occupation by hundreds of journalists who refused to leave when ERT was closed and they lost their jobs in June. The government has since launched a new public service TV channel.

The shock closure of ERT put 2,600 people out of a job and closed a costly state body as renowned for feather-bedding and nepotism as it was for fearless reporting. Ever since ERT’s demise hundreds of staff have maintained a bootleg internet-only version of the channel, operating out of the building.

Many have criticised the closure, and hundreds of people gathered outside ERT headquarters in northern Athens to protest against the eviction of the occupiers. Some say the government has used the economic crisis to remove a source of critical comment.