Wednesday 20 January 2010

Greek police on trial for killing Alexis


TENSIONS are again running high in Greece with the start of the trial of the policeman accused of murdering 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos.

Ringed by riot police and an anarchist demonstration, the court today postponed the case until Friday, reported AFP.

The trial has been moved out of Athens to the small town of Amfissa for security purposes.

Around 200 anarchists marched through the centre of Amfissa today, chanting anti-police slogans and demanding that the process be held in the capital.

Cop Epaminondas Korkoneas, 38, (pictured) is on trial for voluntary homicide, while his partner Vassilis Saraliotis, 32, is accused of complicity.

One resistance group has threatened to kill Korkoneas, prompting authorities to send more than 400 police to Amfissa, which is 200 kilometres (125 miles) northwest of Athens.

Reported Greek English-language paper Kathimerini: "An extra 700 police officers will be on duty in the town of Amfissa.

"Police have also set up checkpoints on the three roads that lead into the town, located some 200 kilometers north of Athens, amid fears that anarchists or even urban guerrillas might try to disrupt proceedings.

"Officers from Athens, as well as members of the anti-terrorist squad, have been in Amfissa since last week preparing the security measures.

"A number of businesses in Amfissa have adopted extra security measures, such as installing metal window blinds."