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Tuesday, 26 November 2024
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Athens News Agency: News in English, 08-12-09Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>CONTENTS
[01] Slain youth buried in AthensLarge crowds of people - friends and classmates of the unlucky boy but also many having no relation to the family - turned up at the cemetery in the Paleo Faliro district of southern Athens on Tuesday to pay their solemn last respects to 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos.The victim was shot dead by a police officer in the Athens district of Exarhia on Saturday evening, in an incident that sparked three days of unprecedented protests and rioting throughout Greece. The funeral began at about half past three in a highly emotional atmosphere, especially as the white, flower-laden coffin was carried into the cemetery by Alexis' friends from school. Large numbers of high school children, students and teachers were among those crowding their cemetery and several people applauded, others threw flowers, while some shouted slogans against the police. Hundreds of wreaths were sent from various organisations, political parties, schools and private individuals. Among the crowds that came to express their sorrow and support for the family were Olympic weightlifting champion Pyrrhos Dimas and his children. A sour note was the chaos that erupted a few streets away, in the adjoining district of Nea Smyrni, as a group of young teenagers that broke away from the gathering outside the cemetery clashed with riot police, setting fires and throwing stones, while police replied with use of tear gas. [02] Gov't spokesman: No thought of taking emergency measuresThe government spokesman on Tuesday flatly dismissed claims and speculation regarding the institution of any emergency measures in the wake of a particularly devastating spate of self-styled anarchist and so-called "anti-state" riots in central Athens and other Greek cities over the last three days.Spokesman Evangelos Antonaros again reiterated that no such discussion took place within the government to activate relevant constitutional articles. The spokesman also echoed previous statements by the premier and top ministers that the violence must be condemned by all rational citizens. "There is not doubt that the loss of the young pupil's life is an extremely tragic development, but it must not be used as an alibi for those resorting to violence," Antonaros said during his regular press briefing. Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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