Greek police end 19-day sit-in by anarchist protesters at Athens University, arrest 18

Municipal workers pull a banner from a facade of the Athens University in Athens Friday, April 17, 2015. Police entered the building of the university and arrested protesters who have been kept it under occupation, demanding the abolition of new maximum security prisons. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) (The Associated Press)

A protester sprays a fire extinguisher at police during a rally in front of the Athens University, which is under occupation by protesters, in Athens, Thursday, April 16, 2015. Leftist and anarchist groups seeking the abolition of new maximum security prisons, clashed in central Athens Thursday with riot police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades. (AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis) (The Associated Press)

Greek police have raided a central university building in Athens that had been occupied by anarchist protesters for 19 days, arresting all 14 people inside and restoring the premises to academic authorities.

A police statement says four other suspected participants in the protest were arrested outside the landmark Athens University headquarters before the raid early Friday.

Anarchists invaded the building last month, draping the facade with banners and playing loud music in solidarity with jailed anarchist militants seeking better detention conditions. Greece's new radical left-led government has tabled legislation that meets many of their demands and is expected to be approved in Parliament later Friday.

Late Thursday, anarchists clashed with riot police outside the building and in surrounding areas, and another four people were arrested on suspicion of attacking officers.