Greece

Greek police firebombed

Article published on the 2008-12-14 Latest update 2008-12-14 17:24 TU

A protester looks at a riot policeman during a demonstration in Athens on Saturday
(Photo: Reuters)

Eighty-six people were arrested and a police station was firebombed Saturday as protests continued in Greece. The police station attacked was holding the two police officers who are awaiting trial over the death of Alexis Grigoropoulos, the 15-year-old who was killed by police fire last weekend.

"Very near the university, the economics university and the law school - which have been occupied by the students - there were several banks which were firebombed," reported correspondent Christina Pirovolakis on Sunday.

"There was chaos along this main strip right in downtown Athens last [Saturday] night," she added.

Tensions are running high, and protestors are not stepping down.

"I think a lot of young people are very determined,” said Pirovolakis. “As of tomorrow –[Monday] morning there is going to be demonstrations towards the main police headquarters by students."

She said that "anarchists have called for everyone to go to the main courthouse tomorrow morning and to riot against the police that are holding a lot of the so-called anarchists".

The police station was attacked with firebombs by 100 people on Saturday following ceremonies to mark Grigoropoulos’ death. Police used tear gas against the attackers.

Police also dispersed 200 people from parliament square late Saturday night.

Youths threw Molotov cocktails and started fires near the Athens Polytechnic University. They also blocked roads with burning cars and bins nearby.

Two thousand people had gathered outside the Greek parliament earlier in the day, carrying a large banner in memory of the boy. In Thessaloniki 2,000 people marched and later in the day a gymnasium was vandalised.

Student pamphlets have announced rallies in front of Athens' police headquarters for Monday and at parliament square later in the week.

Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has said his government’s priority is the current financial crisis, and he has dismissed opposition calls for fresh elections.

A quarter of Greeks aged 15 to 24 are currently unemployed.