Thousands March in Athens on Anniversary of Teen's Fatal Police Shooting

ATHENS, Greece — On Friday, thousands gathered in the Greek capital to commemorate the anniversary of the 2008 police shooting of a teenager, leading to minor clashes between protesters and police.

Though no injuries or arrests were reported, tensions rose following the demonstration in Athens. Protesters hurled fuel bombs and stones at riot police who retaliated with tear gas and stun grenades in the Exarcheia district, the site of the 2008 shooting.

Alexandros Grigoropoulos, a 15-year-old student, was killed by a police officer, igniting days of unrest. His death is remembered annually with protests organized by left-wing and student groups, which often escalate into violence.

Braving heavy rain, around 5,000 police officers were on duty across the city, especially near Exarcheia. Authorities employed water cannon vehicles, drones, and helicopters to oversee the events, maintaining a strong presence around sensitive locations like embassies and government buildings.

Due to the march, road closures and traffic changes were in effect, and public transportation faced disruptions, with two main subway stations closed for much of the day.

The police officer responsible for Grigoropoulos's death received a life sentence in 2010 but was released in 2019 following a sentence reduction, a decision upheld in a 2022 retrial. An accomplice officer was also convicted but released on parole after serving three years.

Tags: Greece, Athens, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, police shooting, protest, Exarcheia, public security