Riots erupt in Greek cities over protestor's killing
The riots began in Athens and spread to Thessaloniki, Komotini, Ioannina and Crete
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Sunday, 07, Dec 2008 04:42
Riots have erupted in some of Greece's largest cities over the killing of a teenager during a protest in Athens.
An anarchist group's protest in the Greek capital's Exarchia district resulted in the police shooting dead a protestor. News of the death sparked violent scenes in the capital with petrol bombs and rocks being thrown in the city and banks being set on fire.
The unrest then spread to Greece's second largest city, Thessaloniki, and to Komotini and Ioannina as well as to the popular holiday destination of Crete, Greece's largest island.
Police said the two officers involved in the incident are being questioned and an inquiry has been launched into the shooting.
The police statement stated that the patrol car of the officers involved had been attacked by a group of 30 youths who threw stones at the vehicle. After being attacked, one policeman fired a stun grenade while another fired at protestors resulting in the boy's death.
Interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos offered his resignation to prime minister Costas Karamanlis over the issue but it has been turned down.
In a statement, Mr Pavlopoulos said: "On behalf of the government and the prime minister, I express sorrow for the incident and especially the death of the young boy.
"An investigation to clarify the incident has already begun. There will be an exemplary punishment and, above all, measures will be taken so that this will never be repeated," he added.