UK Today News: Greek policeman sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of 15 year old
Greek police officer Epaminondas Korkoneas, 38, has reportedly been found guilty of killing 15-year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos during the 2008 protests, and has sentenced to life imprisonment after a 9 months trial. The killing had resulted in unrest and heavy riots in Greece.
(AP Photo/Eurokinissi, Vassilis Papadopoulos)
Reports state that Korkoneas shot dead Alexandros in Exarchia on December 6, 2008, during the anti- government protests. The officer was sentenced on Monday with a life term. The court of Amfissa charged the officer with culpable homicide.
The officer’s attorneys claimed that he did not deliberately kill the boy but it was an accident, and that he died of a ricocheted bullet. However, eyewitnesses said that he had aimed and shot at Alexandros three times, that counts to murder. His partner, Vassilios Saraliotis, was awarded a 10 year jail term.
The riots after the incidence were horrendous. Many cars were set ablaze, people were on looting spree in many of the cities in Greece.
The judgement has brought great relief to the boy’s parents who say that even though they can not get their son back, their reputation has been restored.
