ATHENS: Greek authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that riot police used a female protester as a human shield during demonstrations over a visit to Athens by the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, this week.

Witnesses said the young woman, who has yet to be identified, was frogmarched in handcuffs ahead of riot police as protesters threw stones at officers.

A woman was reportedly used as a human shield by authorities during a protest in Athens. Credit:doc4life.net

Magistrates have launched a separate inquiry into a report that protesters arrested after clashing with supporters of the neo-nazi Golden Dawn party were tortured at the Attica General Police Directorate. Human Rights Watch said accountability for police abuse was urgently needed.

The group said: "The scenes described by the victims to reporters are deeply shocking. No one should be treated that way by police. Greece needs to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation of their allegations."