More than 6,000 police officers will be deployed in Athens this weekend in an attempt to quell violence that could arise over the first anniversary of the fatal police shooting of a 15-year-old boy.
Suspected anarchist youths attacked police targets in Athens and the southern city of Corinth on Friday, injuring two officers and raising fears a wave of rioting could once again engulf Greek cities.
Riots raged across Greece for more than two weeks last year following the death of Alexandros Grigoropoulos. Police failed to contain members of anarchist groups and violent students who smashed and looted stores across the capital.
The possibility of violence poses a challenge to the country’s new Socialist government, which is also confronted with a surge in armed attacks by far-left and anarchist groups after the shooting on Dec. 6 last year.
One police officer has been killed and another seven injured in three separate shootings, while bomb attacks targeted the Athens stock exchange, banks and a McDonald’s restaurant.
President Karolos Papoulias pleaded for calm on Friday.
“The murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos was not only a heinous act, it was a lesson for us all ... an obligation to try and ensure a fairer society for our younger generation,” Papoulias said. “I hope the memory of Alexis will be honored peacefully because this is the least we owe [his family].”
Small protests began on Friday. Groups of teenage students blocked two busy roads north of the capital and a police patrol was attacked by about 40 youths in the center of Athens. Police said two officers were lightly injured.
Late on Friday, a group of youths armed with sticks and stones attacked a regional police headquarters in Corinth, damaging the building but causing no injuries, police said.
No arrests were reported immediately after the attack, about 80km south of Athens.
A demonstration is planned for 1pm in central Athens today to mark the anniversary of the shooting.
Authorities said up to 6,500 police would be on duty from yesterday through tomorrow.
Late on Thursday, seven people were detained by police at a rally.
“We will not tolerate lawlessness and attacks on innocent citizens,” Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Pangalos said.
Two police officers have been charged with murder and attempted murder for the teenager’s death. They are scheduled to stand trial beginning on Jan. 20.
Fears of violence have been heightened by reports that groups of anarchists from other European countries are planning to join the protests in Athens. Police officials said at least 100 foreign demonstrators are expected.
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