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http://uk.news.yahoo.com/5/20081207/twl-athens-shooting-officer-arrested-3fd0ae9.html
A police officer has been arrested after the killing of a 15-year-old boy in Athens which sparked riots in the Greek capital.
Violence has since erupted in the northern cities of Salonika, Komotini and Ioannina.
In Salonika a dozen banks and shops were torched by a crowd protesting at the teenager's death in Athens.
According to witnesses, the shooting occurred after a small group of youths attacked a police patrol car.
They said an officer responded by firing three shots, hitting one of them in the chest.
The incident enraged hundreds of youths in the area who began rioting - attacking other police cars with stones and firebombs.
Police fired tear gas at the crowd, evacuating some restaurants in the area and closing several streets to all traffic.
The drama took place in the central Exarchia district, a regular flash-point of trouble between police and gangs of self-proclaimed anarchists.
However, the unrest spread to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, when news of the death was reported, followed by Komotini and Ioannina.
Two officers and the local precinct commander in Athens have been suspended pending an investigation.
Greek interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said: "I express my sorrow for the incident and especially the death of the young boy.
"An investigation to clarify the situation has already begun.
"There will be an exemplary punishment and measures will be taken so that such a thing will not be repeated."
A police officer has been arrested after the killing of a 15-year-old boy in Athens which sparked riots in the Greek capital.
Violence has since erupted in the northern cities of Salonika, Komotini and Ioannina.
In Salonika a dozen banks and shops were torched by a crowd protesting at the teenager's death in Athens.
According to witnesses, the shooting occurred after a small group of youths attacked a police patrol car.
They said an officer responded by firing three shots, hitting one of them in the chest.
The incident enraged hundreds of youths in the area who began rioting - attacking other police cars with stones and firebombs.
Police fired tear gas at the crowd, evacuating some restaurants in the area and closing several streets to all traffic.
The drama took place in the central Exarchia district, a regular flash-point of trouble between police and gangs of self-proclaimed anarchists.
However, the unrest spread to Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city, when news of the death was reported, followed by Komotini and Ioannina.
Two officers and the local precinct commander in Athens have been suspended pending an investigation.
Greek interior minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said: "I express my sorrow for the incident and especially the death of the young boy.
"An investigation to clarify the situation has already begun.
"There will be an exemplary punishment and measures will be taken so that such a thing will not be repeated."
