Greek authorities were on high alert on Thursday, especially in central Athens, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the fatal shooting of a high school pupil by a police officer.
Major protests and subsequent rioting had erupted 10 years ago after 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot dead by a police guard. Since then, rallies and protests have been held every year since then on the Dec. 6 anniversary of the deadly incident. The anniversary, however, has also witnessed street violence by self-styled anarchist groups.
According to police sources, more than 5,000 police officers and members of the riot squad have been stationed in central Athens, particularly around Exarchia square, the same district were Grigoropoulos was killed. The law enforcement officer, Epaminondas Korkoneas, was subsequently cashiered from the police force and later convicted of intentional homicide. He is currently serving a prison sentence.
Among others, the Syntagma metro station, the busiest in the metropolitan area, was closed.
Other protests/rallies were scheduled in Thessaloniki and other cities around Greece.
