Policemen deny 'murder' that sparked riots
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Athens Two policemen pleaded not guilty yesterday on charges of fatally shooting a teenager in an incident that provoked nationwide riots in Greece in December 2008.
Epaminondas Korkoneas is the key defendant, charged with murder for the Dec. 6, 2008, shooting that followed an altercation with youths who taunted the officers and threw plastic bottles at their patrol car. The second defendant, Vassilis Saraliotis, pleaded not guilty to the charge of complicity to murder.
The teen's death — in a part of Athens with cafes frequented by anarchists and students — triggered days of violent rioting that spread to cities and towns throughout Greece. Rioting in Athens again last year, on the anniversary of the shooting, led to more than 130 arrests.
Korkoneas, 39, claims the 15-year-old schoolboy Alexandros Grigoropoulos was killed by a warning shot fired into the air that ricocheted.
"I don't accept liability for anybody's death," he told the Amfissa court. "I would have stepped forward to shield anyone, including these kids."
Co-defendant Saraliotis, 33, said he also was innocent "and will prove it."
"I have nothing to do with my colleague's actions," he told the court.
The dead teenager's mother, Gina Tsalikian, accused Korkoneas of intentionally shooting her son and walking off "as if he had just squashed a cockroach."
The trial is expected to take several weeks, and is being held in Amfissa, some 120 miles west of Athens, for security reasons amid fears of more rioting by anarchists.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments