Clashes at Greek protests to mark police shooting Published duration 6 December 2014

image copyright EPA image caption Protesters clashed with riot police on Saturday night

Clashes have erupted in the capital of Greece during protests marking six years since police shot dead an unarmed teenager.

At least 5,000 demonstrators marched in Athens on Saturday. Some attacked shops and hurled petrol bombs at riot police.

Police officers used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse protesters.

The demonstrators had been marking the anniversary of 15-year-old Alexis Grigoropoulos' death. He was shot by an officer who has since been jailed.

Mr Grigoropoulos' killing on 6 December 2008 sparked violent riots across Greece, with cars being set alight and shops looted in a number of cities.

Clashes have also broken out on previous anniversaries of his death.

On Saturday, anti-establishment protesters attacked banks and damaged shops and bus stops.

image copyright Reuters image caption Petrol bombs were thrown at police, who responded with tear gas and water canon

image copyright EPA image caption Earlier on Saturday, thousands marched in a rally marking Alexis Grigoropoulos' death

At one point, demonstrators looted a clothes shop and set fire to the merchandise in the street, the Associated Press news agency reported.

According to Reuters, police said they detained close to 100 protesters.

Clashes primarily took place in Athen's Exarchia neighbourhood, but violence was also reported in Thessaloniki, in northern Greece.

No injuries were reported in either city.

Protesters have also been expressing support for Nikos Romanos, a friend of Mr Grigoropoulos who witnessed his death.

Romanos, 21, has been jailed for attempted bank robbery. He is currently on hunger strike, demanding study leave after he was accepted onto a university course.