Greece: Clashes in Athens after release of policeman who shot 15 y/o boy

Clashes broke out in Athens between police and demonstrators on Wednesday, during a protest over the release of a policeman who shot dead a 15-year-old boy in December 2008.

The protest in the Greek capital’s central Exarcheia district comes after a court reduced the sentence of Epaminondas Korkoneas from life to 13 years for the shooting and killing of Alexis Grigoropoulos in 2008. Having already served 11 years of his sentence, the ruling means that Korkoneas can seek immediate release.

The death of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos in December 2008, sparked large protests throughout Greece and solidarity demonstrations around the world. The death of the teenager is marked every year in several cities across the country, often resulting in violent clashes.