This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/7772645.stm

The article has changed 22 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 18 Version 19
Protests as Athens funeral held Protests as Athens funeral held
(about 3 hours later)
Fresh clashes have erupted in Athens after the funeral of a teenager whose death has sparked four days of rioting across Greece. Violence continued for a fourth day in Athens, as a funeral was held for a teenager whose death has sparked rioting across Greece.
Protesters battled police after the ceremony for Alexandros Grigoropoulos, 15, who was shot on Saturday by police. Clashes erupted near the cemetery where 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, shot by police on Saturday, was buried.
Earlier, youths confronted police outside parliament, as violence that has seen buildings torched and dozens injured showed no signs of abating. Youths also fought police outside parliament, in a repeat of the violence that has seen hundreds of buildings torched and dozens injured.
Meanwhile, the opposition has called for the government to step down. The opposition said the government had lost public support and should resign.
Tuesday's protests began early in the day. Schools were shut as thousands of teachers, schoolchildren and parents held a peaceful demonstration to protest against the killing. name="top"> class="bodl" href="#map">See where unrest has spread On Wednesday union leaders plan to hold a 24-hour general strike over welfare reforms. Police fear the stoppage, which is expected to bring the country to a standstill, could fuel further violence.
They marched towards parliament behind a large banner declaring: "Assassins, the government is the culprit." Police used tear gas to disperse stone-throwing protesters Funeral clashes
The situation escalated as hundreds of young people joined the protest, throwing stones and bottles at lines of riot police, who responded with tear gas. Fresh protests began in central Athens early on Tuesday. Schools were shut as thousands of teachers, schoolchildren and parents marched on parliament to protest against the killing. name="top"> class="bodl" href="#map">See where unrest has spread
The situation escalated as hundreds of young people joined the protest, throwing stones and bottles at lines of riot police, who responded with tear gas.Police used tear gas to disperse stone-throwing protesters
In the afternoon thousands of mourners gathered for the teenager's funeral in a coastal suburb further south.In the afternoon thousands of mourners gathered for the teenager's funeral in a coastal suburb further south.
The ceremony was calm, but clashes were later reported outside the cemetery. The ceremony was calm, but violence then erupted outside the cemetery. Police used tear gas against groups of youths who threw stones and set rubbish bins ablaze.
Police were using tear gas against dozens of youths who were throwing stones and setting fire to rubbish bins, reports said. By late evening, 15,000 police were deployed in the capital to maintain control, Reuters news agency said.
Violence was reported elsewhere in the country. In Thessaloniki, police were clashing with groups of young people following a protest march earlier in the day. There was more fighting elsewhere in the country too.
Two police officers have been charged in connection with Alexandros Grigoropoulos's death on Saturday, but results of a post-mortem to determine the trajectory of the bullet that killed him are not yet known. In Thessaloniki, police clashed with groups of young people following a protest march earlier in the day. In Patras, a western port, rioters armed with petrol bombs and stones attacked the main police station.
Two police officers have been charged in connection with Alexandros Grigoropoulos's death, but results of a post-mortem to determine the trajectory of the bullet that killed him are not yet known.
The officer who fired says it was a ricochet from a warning shot but witnesses told Greek TV he fired directly at the teenager.The officer who fired says it was a ricochet from a warning shot but witnesses told Greek TV he fired directly at the teenager.
Lost confidenceLost confidence
Earlier, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis held talks with President Karolos Papoulias and opposition leaders in an attempt to reach a consensus on what action to take. Rebellion deeply embeddedIn pictures: Greek riotsEyewitness: Athens riotThessaloniki riot: 'War zone here' In Athens, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis held talks with President Karolos Papoulias and opposition leaders to discuss what action to take. Rebellion deeply embeddedIn pictures: Greek riotsEyewitness: Athens riotThessaloniki riot: 'War zone here'
Mr Karamanlis, whose conservative party has a parliamentary majority of just one seat, has called for unity and vowed there will be no leniency in dealing with the rioters. "No one has the right to use this tragic incident as an excuse for acts of violence," he said. Mr Karamanlis, whose conservative party has a parliamentary majority of just one seat, called for unity and said rioters would not be shown any leniency.
But after meeting Mr Karamanlis, socialist leader George Papandreou said Greeks had lost confidence in the conservative government. "No one has the right to use this tragic incident as an excuse for acts of violence," he said.
"The only thing this government can offer is to resign and turn to the people for its verdict," said Mr But socialist leader George Papandreou said Greeks had lost confidence in the government.
"The only thing this government can offer is to resign and turn to the people for its verdict," he said.
'Rage''Rage'
Interior Minister Prokopis Pavlopoulos said the government would not put up with the violence, and scores of arrests have been made. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe army must take over now to stop these riotsKoufos, Thessaloniki, Greece class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5779&edition=2&ttl=20081209122100">Send us your comments Scores of arrests have been made since Saturday. Protesters wielding petrol bombs have set fire to banks, shops, hotels, vehicles and even the giant Christmas tree in Athens' central Syntagma Square.
But appeals for calm have so far been largely ignored by the mostly young protesters, and plans as to how the violence should be contained remain unclear. Violent clashes have been reported in towns and cities across the country. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYThe army must take over now to stop these riotsKoufos, Thessaloniki, Greece class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5779&edition=2&ttl=20081209122100">Send us your comments
Police appear to be powerless to prevent rioters from attacking symbols of wealth and prestige in Athens, the BBC's Malcolm Brabant reports. Appeals for calm have so far been largely ignored. Police appear to be powerless to prevent rioters from attacking symbols of wealth and prestige in Athens, the BBC's Malcolm Brabant reports.
Protesters wielding petrol bombs set fire to banks, shops, hotels, vehicles, rubbish bins and even the city's giant Christmas tree in central Syntagma Square. "Rage is what I feel for what has happened, rage," said one protesting student. "This cop who did it must see what it is to kill a kid and to destroy a life."
"Rage is what I feel for what has happened, rage," said a student taking part in the protests. "This cop who did it must see what it is to kill a kid and to destroy a life."
Violent clashes have been reported in towns and cities across the country, spreading to Rhodes and Crete on Monday. Police stations were attacked in Piraeus and Corfu.
No troops
Mr Karamanlis has blamed "extreme elements" for taking advantage of the situation to engage in vandalism and pledged to compensate damaged businesses.Mr Karamanlis has blamed "extreme elements" for taking advantage of the situation to engage in vandalism and pledged to compensate damaged businesses.
Observers say a state of emergency may be imposed, giving the authorities special powers to clear the streets.Observers say a state of emergency may be imposed, giving the authorities special powers to clear the streets.
But there is no question of calling in troops, our correspondent says: Greece has bitter memories of military rule so seeing troops on streets would be beyond the pale.But there is no question of calling in troops, our correspondent says: Greece has bitter memories of military rule so seeing troops on streets would be beyond the pale.
Greece's ongoing violence has exacerbated public discontent at the country's stunted economic growth and high unemployment levels.
It comes ahead of a general strike planned for Wednesday over welfare reforms and economic policy.
Back to topBack to top
Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
Have you been caught up in events? Are you in the area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via MMS please dial 61124
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video Name