Greece: Activists to gather in Exarchia, Athens, December 6 to mark anniversary of killing of student by police

Event

Activists are planning to protest in Athens Dec. 6 to mark the 2008 killing of student Alexis Grigoropoulos by police. Participants plan to gather at the site of the killing in the Exarchia neighborhood. The exact time of the demonstration is unclear.

As a precaution, police are likely to introduce crowd-control measures, including road closures and traffic diversions, in the vicinity of such events. Although organizers have called for participants to adhere to all official social-distancing mandates imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-10) pandemic, authorities have prohibited any related protests and could move to disperse the gathering forcefully. Clashes between protesters and security forces are possible. Police are likely to attempt to forcibly disperse any disorderly gatherings; officers could use water cannon, baton charges, and tear gas. While foreign nationals are unlikely to be targeted, any violence would pose an indirect threat to bystanders.

Context

Anarchist groups gather each year on the anniversary of the killing, and related protests have previously turned violent. Demonstrations are possible on the day in other Greek cities, including in Thessaloniki.

Advice

Traffic delays are possible in central Athens on the afternoon and evening of Dec. 6. Avoid all demonstrations as a routine security precaution. If violence breaks out, leave the area immediately.