Galery

1

Processions and rallies are planned in central Athens today to mark the seventh anniversary of Alexis Grigoropoulos' murder. The police are on high alert and draconian security measures are being applied.

The number of law enforcement officers patrolling the streets will exceed 5000. The police have prepared an operational plan, similar to the one that was applied during the anniversary events at the Polytechnic.

At 12 noon there was a procession of students at the Propylaea. A general rally and procession of school students, undergraduate societies, youth groups and left-wing organisations at the Propylaea will take place a bit later. Another parade is scheduled for 5 PM.

The metro station by the University has been closed since 3 PM, and at 5 PM the police will shut down Syntagma Square station as well.

Exarcheia has seen increased security measures as several incidents have taken place there over the last two days. Last night, the clashes began shortly before midnight and went on for more than 3 hours. According to police reports, a group of about 80 youths attacked with Molotov bottles a platoon of the MAT riot police forces at the intersection of Stournari and Zaimi streets.

The attacks continued with stones, flares and other objects being hurled at law enforcers. They responded with stun grenades and chased the youths all the way to Exarcheia Square.

At 2 a.m. youths attacked a car, which was just being boarded by four Portuguese tourists who had been having a walk round the centre. The driver was injured by a stone to the head and was taken to Georgios Gennimatas hospital.

So far it is not known whether anyone was arrested.

It has also transpired that, again in Exarcheia, a clothing shop was set on fire on 56 Themistokleous St., people inside the building being evacuated. The fire broke out at 10:40 this morning and was extinguished at about 12:30. 9 fire engines and 25 firemen were involved. The shop was completely destroyed by the flames. The reasons for the fire are being investigated.