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Greece vigils amid new violence Violent protests resume in Greece
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of mainly young Greeks have held peaceful protests in memory of a teenager killed by police a week ago. There have been further riots in Greece in protest at the killing by police of a 15-year-old boy eight days ago.
Candlelit vigils were held in Athens at nightfall at parliament and at the site of the shooting. Protesters also gathered in Thessaloniki. Violent clashes broke out in the capital, Athens, on Saturday evening following a day of largely peaceful vigils for Alexandros Grigoropoulos.
The vigils came at the end of a day that saw reports of sporadic violence, including attacks on a police station. Youths threw petrol bombs at banks and the police station where the officer charged with the teenager's killing was based. Police responded with tear gas.
Greece has been wracked by violent protests since 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot dead. At least 70 people have been injured in the protests sparked by the shooting.
One policeman has been charged with the murder of Grigoropoulos and a second has been charged with being an accomplice. The unrest has spread throughout the country, and has prompted calls for Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and his government to stand down.
The killing sparked off rioting that spread quickly, and has led to calls for the government to stand down. Mr Karamanlis has vowed not to be swayed by protests, insisting Greece needs experienced leadership at a time of economic crisis.
Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has vowed not to be swayed by protests, insisting the country needs an experienced government at a time of economic crisis. 'Murderers out'
Shopping The BBC's Malcolm Brabant in Athens says the clashes on Saturday evening have been the most serious disturbances for several days.
Among Saturday's protests were a peaceful sit-down vigil by students of the school where Grigoropoulos was a student. class="" href="/1/hi/programmes/from_our_own_correspondent/7781516.stm">New generation flexes muscles
They held a silent protest in Syntagma Square, home to the country's parliament. Exactly a week after Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot dead, youths on motorbikes and others on foot threw petrol bombs and rocks at a police station in the Exarchia district, where the officer, who shot him and has now been charged with murder, was based. The protesters chanted "murderers out".
Hours later hundreds of others brought candles to the square, while others gathered at the site of the teenager's death. The trouble soon spread and rioters began setting up barricades in the area, and attacking banks, shops and an office of the environment ministry. Riot police positioned at street corners responded by firing tear gas at the protesters.
In Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city, some 300 youths gathered by the White Tower, a key monument. Several restaurants in Exarchia had already closed early in anticipation of the violence. Many shop owners meanwhile boarded up their windows as night fell.
But there were reports of new violence. Later, police charged a peaceful vigil in nearby Syntagma Square, when those taking part refused to move further away from the parliament building.
Police said that at least two banks were targeted in Athens before youths attacked a police station. Meanwhile in Greece's second city of Thessaloniki, dozens of youths vandalised a gymnasium during a demonstration, according to the AFP news agency.
They then smashed paving stones and set up street barricades with burning trash bins, reports said. Silent protest
Anger at the killing of the teenager has developed into a widespread sense of anger at Greece's government over the past week. The protests in memory of Alexandros Grigoropoulos's death last Saturday in Exarchia had begun peacefully.
The protesters used laserpointers to target police for attack
Students of the school the teenager had attended held a silent vigil during the day in Syntagma Square. Hours later, hundreds of others brought candles to the site, while others gathered at the site of the shooting.
In Thessaloniki, 300 youths gathered by the White Tower, a key monument.
Our correspondent says anger at the killing of the teenager has developed into a widespread sense of anger at Greece's government over the past week.
Thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets across the country, repeatedly clashing with police and vowing to overthrow the government.Thousands of Greeks have taken to the streets across the country, repeatedly clashing with police and vowing to overthrow the government.
Many have identified themselves as anarchists happy to use violence in what they say are legitimate protests against the government.Many have identified themselves as anarchists happy to use violence in what they say are legitimate protests against the government.
Some, though, have welcomed the return of a semblance of calm. In Athens, Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis greeted Christmas shoppers with the city's brass band. Some, though, have welcomed the return of a semblance of calm prior to the violence on Saturday evening. In Athens, Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis greeted Christmas shoppers with the city's brass band.
"People came up to me and were telling me that it was the first time they had smiled in days," the mayor told the Associated Press."People came up to me and were telling me that it was the first time they had smiled in days," the mayor told the Associated Press.