24 detained ahead of protests marking Grigoropoulos shooting anniversary

Police in Athens detained 24 people on Friday ahead of protests marking the anniversary of the fatal police shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in 2008.

Despite heavy rainfall in the capital, around 5,000 police officers are expected to patrol the city, focusing on the Exarchia neighborhood where the shooting took place.

Police will also deploy water cannon vehicles, drones, and helicopters to monitor the demonstrations, maintaining a strong presence near embassies, ministries, and other potential rallying sites.

Authorities have announced that road closures and traffic diversions will be imposed progressively, with changes to public transportation schedules. Two central subway stations will be closed for much of the day.

The police officer responsible for Grigoropoulos’ shooting was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2010 but was released in 2019 after his sentence was reduced. The decision was upheld in a retrial three years later. A second officer was also convicted as an accomplice and released on parole after serving three years in prison.

Source: pagenews.gr