Traffic restrictions in central Athens, along with the closure of two metro stations (Panepistimio and Syntagma), will accompany the fielding of a heightened law enforcement presence on Saturday, the 17^th anniversary of the shooting death of a 15-year-old teen by a police guard in the Exarchia district.

The metro stations were later opened, although they were set to again close at 17.00 local time.

The incident, which started when Alexandros Grigoropoulos was struck with one bullet directly in the chest, caused massive rioting in Athens and other cities in December 2008. The assailant, police guard Epaminondas Korkoneas, was subsequently found guilty of intentional manslaughter and handed down a prison sentence. Subsequent appeals lessened his jail time.

A rally called by pupils’ and students’ groups for noon took place before the old administrative headquarters of the Athens University (Propylea), while another rally is scheduled in the evening at the exact spot where Grigoropoulos was shot dead. People were laying flowers at the site throughout the day, at the intersection of Tzavella and Messologiou streets.

According to an announcement by Greek Police (EL.AS), “traffic adjustments will be implemented gradually and in accordance with prevailing traffic conditions…As such, drivers are asked to avoid driving and parking their vehicles in the wider area of the event venues, both for their own convenience and to avoid additional traffic problems.”