Alexis Grigoropoulos

There’s a place in almost every city that tourists usually don’t visit. It’s usually the place that gives seed to uprising where there were murders and where political extremism reigns supreme.

Exarchia, Athens, Greece

Panos Lambrou, a tireless defender of prisoner’s rights, is in the spotlight again for his paradoxical role in the Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government. While Greek Citizens Protection Minister Nikos Toskas would arrest those who burnt cars and dumpsters to commemorate the anniversary of Alexis Grigoropoulos death on December 6, Lambrou would arrange for their free defence.

Violent episodes broke out at Exarchia after the main rally for the anniversary of the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos where about 3,000 members of anti-authoritarian groups participated.

Panepistimio metro station will remain close on Sunday from 15.00, whereas Syntagma station will remain close from 17:00 according to police orders.

During this time, rallies on the anniversary of the murder of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos will be in progress.

The police  is increasing the number of officers on duty today due to the anniversary of the police killing a teenager, Alexis Grigoropoulos, seven years ago.

Grigoropoulos was shot down by a police officer seven years ago at Exarchia, center of Athens.

Episodes broke out at the anarchist hub of Exarheia in Athens at 2 a.m. on Sunday as young people began to throw molotov cocktails at police. One Portuguese tourist who happened to be passing by in a car was catapulted by rocks and has been injured.

The Radical Left Coalition’s (SYRIZA) transition from a vibrant, youthful idealistic party to a supporter of the third bailout has caused existential problems amongst its younger members.

September’s victory lacked the jubilance of the January election with most of its younger set choosing to distance itself from the party’s failed promises and rapid U-turn to austerity.

The Athens Polytechnic Uprising is typically commemorated with scuffles. The day commemorates Greek students’ resistance against the military dictatorship. It marks the day that Greek tanks broke down the main gate of the Athens Polytechnic, killing students and marking the start of the end of the seven-year dictatorship that had begun on April 21, 1967.

The appeals trial of former police officers Epaminondas Korkoneas and Vassilis Saraliotis, who were convicted for the murder of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos in Exarchia, central Athens, in December 2008, was postponed on Wednesday.

Seven of the 17 people arrested in Thessaloniki late on Saturday following disturbances are due to face a magistrate on Monday.

The arrests were made after trouble broke out at a march to mark the sixth anniversary of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos’s murder by a policeman. Several shops and vehicles were damaged in the northern city.