Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis on Monday expressed sorrow, grief and anger at the death of 15-year-old boy Alexis Grigoropoulos, who was shot dead by a police officer in Exarhia in Athens on Saturday.
The death triggered a wave of the worst rioting seen in Greece for decades in the past three days. Thousands of youths clashed with police and rampaged through Athens and other cities, burning scores of cars and shops in the worst protests to erupt in Greece in years.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone, I believe, are with his parents, his family and his friends. I have no doubt that the punishment for those guilty of this criminal behavior will be fitting, in other words stern and exemplary," she said.
The minister also condemned the violence seen during the protests of the past three days.
She said nothing can justify social violence. The clashes, the torching, and the destruction of property, none of these things reflects the common desire for justice.
"On the contrary, I believe that they harm society as a whole during an extremely difficult time. In a democracy, no one is above the law, no one has a right to immunity, whether they wear a uniform or a hood. We all have the same rights."
"Democracy cannot tolerate raw violence and lawlessness, wherever this might originate. And I believe this concerns us all," said Bakoyannis.
Source:Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article