Police fully mobilised for shooting anniversary

Staff unions said that students had staged occupations at dozens of universities and schools across Greece on Friday.

Greece's police force will be fully mobilised to prevent trouble during this weekend's commemoration of the anniversary of the killing of a teenager by a policeman, an official said Friday.

Some 6,000 police will be on duty in Athens alone, where demonstrations are planned on Sunday and Monday by students, trade unions and left-wing organisations.

On Thursday police fired teargas at around 100 students trying to occupy the economics faculty to mark the death of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos on December 6 last year.

Staff unions said that students had staged occupations at dozens of universities and schools across Greece on Friday.

Grigoropoulos was fatally shot by a police officer who claimed he fired into the air whilst under attack by youths. The death sparked weeks of violence across Greece.

- I hope that Alexis's memory will be honoured peacefully - President Carolos Papoulias said in a statement issued Friday. - It is the least we owe him. -

Deputy Prime Minister Theodoros Panagalos warned in parliament meanwhile that violence would not be tolerated.

Thousands of people are expected to march through Athens on Sunday after a religious service at Grigoropoulos's tomb in the suburb of Nea Smyrna.

A gathering is also planned at the scene of his shooting in the central Exarchia district.

The policeman accused of the teenager's death, who has been held in custody, is due to go on trial on January 20 charged with homicide.