Thousands in Greece protest death of Roma teen shot in police chase

By Staff

ANKARA (AA) – Thousands of people took to the streets in Greece on Tuesday to protest the death of a teenager from the Roma community who was shot last week during a police chase, local media reported.

The largest demonstrations took place in the capital Athens and the northern port city of Thessaloniki with protestors chanting slogans against the police and “racist” policies by the state, according to Greek media.

While the police said they were hit by stones and Molotov cocktails thrown by some hooded protestors in Athens, news outlets close to the opposition claimed that police fired gas bombs at protestors.

Dozens of demonstrators in Athens and Thessaloniki were arrested according to the media and police.

Sixteen-year-old Kostas Fragoulis was shot in the head during a police chase on Dec. 5 after he allegedly left a gas station without paying a €20 ($21) bill.

After fighting for his life in a hospital intensive care unit (ICU) for eight days, he was pronounced dead on Tuesday.

The 34-year-old police officer who fired the fatal shots has been suspended and faces charges of attempted manslaughter with possible intent and illegally firing his weapon.