The center of Athens is under heightened security on Friday as student marches and rallies are set to mark the 16th anniversary of the police shooting of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. His death in 2008 triggered some of the most intense riots Greece had seen in decades.
A robust police force of 5,000 officers has been deployed across the city to deter potential unrest. According to reports from the state broadcaster ERT, this security detail mirrors the measures implemented for the November 17th commemorations of the 1973 Athens Polytechnic uprising.
The deployment includes riot police (MAT), motorcycle units (DRASI and DIAS), traffic police, and state security officers. Exarchia, a neighborhood known for frequent clashes during protests, will be under intensified patrols before, during, and after the march.
Specialized equipment, including water cannon vehicles known as “Aiantas,” will be mobilized, while drones and helicopters will provide live updates to the Hellenic Police headquarters, facilitating real-time monitoring and swift responses to any incidents.
Extraordinary traffic measures are in effect in central Athens due to the demonstrations. These restrictions will be implemented gradually based on conditions, with the Attica Traffic Directorate urging drivers to avoid the area. Authorities have also asked vehicle owners to avoid parking along protest routes to reduce congestion risks.
Public transport services have been adjusted for the day, with temporary metro station closures at the police’s request. Panepistimio station will close at 9 a.m., while Monastiraki station (serving Lines 1 and 3) will close from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and again at 5 p.m. Trains will bypass these stations, resuming regular stops based on police directives.
On the night of December 6, 2008, hours after Grigoropoulos was shot, thousands poured into the streets of Athens, setting cars ablaze, smashing storefronts, and looting. The riots, fueled by broader anger over unemployment and economic struggles preceding Greece’s decade-long debt crisis, lasted for weeks.
The police officer responsible for the shooting was sentenced to life imprisonment two years later but was subsequently released following an appeals court decision.