Greece, December 08: Greece has witnessed a second day of violent protests in commemoration of a youth killed in a police shootout last year.
Hooded gangs continued their rampage in Athens on Monday, destroying public and private property during protests in commemoration of the anniversary of the death of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos, who was killed by a policeman in December 2008.
Thousands of angry protesters who took to the streets of the capital and the country’s second largest city, Thessaloniki, were met by riot police that used tear gas to disperse the crowds.
Protesters shattered shop windows, set busses ablaze, and attacked security forces with rocks and firebombs.
However, hundreds of the demonstrators have been arrested.
The protests have continued despite the government’s deployment of 6,000 police.
Greek Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis endorsed the application of force on Monday, saying, “Police detentions, when justified, are not illegal in a democratic society. Neither is it illegal for judicial officials to press charges.”
“Vandals and hooligans have nothing to do with democracy,” he added.
–Agencies