Militants firebomb police in Athens

Published December 15, 2008

ATHENS, Dec 14: Greek students announced fresh rallies on Sunday after a night of violence during which hooded militants firebombed an Athens police station in fresh protests over the police shooting of a teenager.

About a hundred protestors attacked the police station Saturday night, next to the Exarchia district where 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos died from a police bullet eight days ago.

The attack, unleashed moments after vigils marked one week since the boy’s death, triggered a wave of violence across the Greek capital with banks targeted and a stand-off between riot police and youths outside parliament.

The police station was where two officers awaiting trial over the killing were based, near the Athens Polytechnic university where protest leaders say they are planning sustained action.

At about the same time late Saturday, similar numbers of angry youths in Thessaloniki, Greece’s northern second city, vandalised a gymnasium before retreating behind university walls ahead of coordinated assemblies on Sunday.

Greece’s constitution bans police from entering educational establishments, a legacy of a crackdown on a 1973 student protest against the country’s then military dictatorship in which 44 demonstrators were killed.

Riot police later moved in to surround about 200 youths stationed on parliament square and drove the crowd away at around 2:00am. Police on Sunday said they made 86 arrests over the course of Saturday’s protests.

A police source said youths hurled Molotov cocktails and set off fires at three banks near the Polytechnic. Protesters also targeted an environment ministry office, torching two luxury cars and blocking roads with blazing bins.—AFP

Opinion

Editorial

United stance
Updated 13 Nov, 2024

United stance

It would've been better if the OIC-Arab League summit had announced practical measures to punish Israel.
Unscheduled visit
13 Nov, 2024

Unscheduled visit

AN IMF mission is in Islamabad for unusual, early talks with the Pakistani authorities as the lender seems worried...
Bara’s businesswomen
13 Nov, 2024

Bara’s businesswomen

BARA tehsil, a region typically known for its security challenges and socioeconomic problems, can now boast the...
System failure
Updated 12 Nov, 2024

System failure

Relevant institutions often treat right to internet connectivity with the same disdain as they do civil and political rights.
Narrowing the gap
12 Nov, 2024

Narrowing the gap

PERHAPS a pat on the back is in order for the ECP. Together with Nadra, it has made visible efforts to reduce...
Back on their feet
12 Nov, 2024

Back on their feet

A STIRRING comeback in the series has ended Pakistan’s 22-year wait for victory against world champions Australia....