16-Year-Old Roma Boy Dies After Police Shooting in Thessaloniki
A 16-year-old boy has died after being shot by a police officer during a chase in northern Greece’s city of Thessaloniki. The teen was hospitalised for over a week following the incident in the early hours of December 5.
Chase Over Unpaid Fuel Ends in Tragedy
The drama unfolded when police pursued the boy after he allegedly drove off from a petrol station without paying a €20 bill. The youth was said to have been attempting to ram police motorcycles with his pick-up truck before the officer on a motorbike fired the fatal shot.
Violent Protests Erupt Amid Claims of Racism
The shooting sparked days of violent protests across Thessaloniki, Athens, and other locations, led by members of the Roma community. Despite calls for calm from community leaders and some family members, tensions remained high.
“Everyone here is crying. It is unjust for a child to leave like this,” said Antonis Tasios, secretary of the Roma community where the boy lived. “We have great pain.”
The Roma community has condemned the shooting as racially motivated. Over the past years, several Roma men have been wounded or fatally shot while allegedly trying to evade arrest, highlighting ongoing discrimination against the community, who often live on society’s margins.
Police Officer Suspended and Under Arrest
The 34-year-old policeman who fired the shot has been suspended and held under arrest since last Friday. He faces charges including attempted manslaughter and illegal use of his weapon. During his initial court hearing, the officer claimed he shot because he feared for his colleagues’ lives.
Meanwhile, Citizens’ Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos expressed “deep sorrow” over the boy’s death and urged respect for the ongoing judicial investigation.
“I repeat that this case is being investigated by the judicial system, which is the only one competent to assess the facts and judge responsibilities. Let us all respect that,” the minister wrote.
