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People pass by a painted outline of a dead body in central Athens on 21 December, 2008. The Greek capital saw near daily hit-and-run attacks by youths throwing firebombs in the weeks following the death of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. PETROS KARADJIAS/AP/Press Association Images
Greece
Greek policeman found guilty of murdering teen
Officer sentenced to life in prison for death of 15-year-old in 2008 which sparked mass riots across the country (VIDEO).
A GREEK POLICEMAN had been found guilty of the muder of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison.
Grigoropoulos’ death in Athens on 6 December, 2008, led to nationwide riots in Greece and a number of anarchist attacks on police and government targets, according to the Guardian.
Rioting also erupted on the anniversary of the death last year.
Police officer Epaminondas Korkoneas, 38, had pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, saying the teenager was accidentally shot by a ricocheting bullet fired as a warning during an altercation with youths.
However, witnesses testified that Korkoneas had deliberately aimed at the teenager. His police partner was sentenced to 10 years after being convicted of complicity in the killing.
A spokesperson for the Grigoropoulos family is quoted by the BBC as saying they are happy with the outcome of the trial, adding:
Justice has been done. Of course, Alexandros is not coming back, but at least what is important for the family is that his good name has been restored.
This Greek news report shows footage after three days of rioting in 2008:
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