at last!

Witnesses said Alexandros Grigoropoulos was shot deliberately
A Greek policeman has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a schoolboy in 2008, an incident that sparked mass unrest.

A court in the town of Amfissa convicted Epaminondas Korkoneas, 38, of intentionally killing 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos.

He was shot dead on 6 December 2008 in the Athens neighbourhood of Exarchia.

Korkoneas’s patrol partner, Vassilios Saraliotis, 32, was given a 10-year jail sentence for complicity.

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The riots that followed the killing saw cars being set alight and shops looted in a number of cities. Hundreds of businesses in Athens were targeted and the second city of Thessaloniki also saw serious unrest.

Further rioting took place on the first anniversary.

‘We will not forget’
The verdict from a panel of judges and jurors was 4-3 in favour of convicting Korkoneas of intentionally shooting Alexandros.

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Analysis

Malcolm Brabant
BBC News, Athens
The decision, by the smallest possible margin, to convict Epaminondas Korkoneas of murder closes one of the darkest chapters of recent Greek history and is a source of considerable relief for the country’s socialist government.

Anything other than a guilty verdict could have triggered a violent response from the country’s youth, many of whom regard the police with suspicion, mistrust and outright hatred.

The outcome is a source of grim satisfaction for the family of 15-year-old Alexandros Grigoropoulos, who had fully expected “The Rambo of Exarchia” to be convicted of murder.

Alexandros’s mother Gina Tsakilian, who runs a jewellery store in Athens, was highly distressed by attempts by Korkoneas’s defence team to paint her son as a troublemaker and the verdict helps to restore his memory.

Two judges and one juror had backed a lesser verdict of manslaughter with possible intent.

The nine-month trial heard that Korkoneas had fired three shots, during an altercation with youths on the streets of Athens.

His lawyer said these had been warning shots – responding to a hail of missiles – and cited an autopsy report indicating the boy had been hit by a ricocheting bullet.

However, witnesses and relatives testified that Korkoneas had deliberately taken aim and fired.

At the trial in January, Alexandros’s mother, Gina Tsakilian, said the two defendants were “monsters in the guise of men”.

Responding to the verdict, her spokesman, Capt Andreas Constantinou, said: “The family is happy with the outcome of the court proceedings. Justice has been done.

“Of course, Alexandros is not coming back, but at least what is important for the family is that his good name has been restored.”

The trial was moved from Athens to Amfissa – a small town 200km (120 miles) west of the capital – to deter attacks by anarchist groups that had vowed to kill the two defendants.

Exarchia is a rebellious district, popular with self-styled anarchists, and there are frequent clashes with police.

Saraliotis (left) and Korkoneas denied the charges
The BBC’s Malcolm Brabant in Athens says the chairman of the residents’ association there, Manos Koufouglou, had told him he welcomed the verdict.

But Mr Koufouglou said that while tensions had eased, the people of Exarchia remained unhappy that the armed Special Guard unit to which Korkoneas belonged had not been disbanded.

“Police violence goes on,” he told our correspondent. “The government has not done enough to reform the police.

“There will be a demonstration to mark the anniversary of the murder. We will not forget.”

panos skoulidas
March 11, 2010 at 1:12 pm
OK ALL..FIVE MORE MINUTES..and i’ll post a slideshow…
today it was the most intense street fights i ever witnessed…
in the streets of Athens…
big fat greek mess…
at one point when the chemicals were getting dropped like crazy…
i thought i saw zoriah… sorry i meant to say “messiah”…
(oh btw..who wants to sign in for a greek workshop called Athens on Fire?
i only charge $8000 euro and u get the Tear gas for FREE…yes free..
the last day free field trip to Acropolis..
laughing….
stay tuned..couple more minutes..

update…3/11/2010

ALL PHOTOS HERE..PROOF SHEET..CLICK ON A PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT..ENJOY:

http://picasaweb.google.com/innerspacecowpanos/JPEG04#

panos skoulidas
March 11, 2010 at 1:17 pm
BIG FAT GREEK SLIDESHOW?…why not? click below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/innerspacecowpanos/JPEG04#slideshow/5447439299737200610

If you have and are now missing garbage, I can recommend a trip to India! NEVER have I seen so much! I failed to escape for months from it, and the smell of it, and who knows what is mixed in with it. People said I was MAD to do the holy dips in the Ganges – they said I was in danger of getting seriously sick but time spent on and in that river was one of the most amazing things ever. But, I so hope a time will come when India’s garbage and the mess everyone contributes to, is sorted out. But then if Gandhi couldn’t do it (he tried pretty hard to get the country to clean up) who can? What a joy to spend time in Thailand which is so very clean in comparison!

Awewome that second image above! It looks like an amazing experience all in all in Athens!

Enjoy it!

Jenny : )

http://picasaweb.google.com/innerspacecowpanos/Tif20?authkey=Gv1sRgCJbXhpWDnuHqkwE#slideshow/5414001504969013970

Magic always easier with slaves around (democracy too!), trash is when we are all free, life is just that harder…. Without slaves :-))))

http://picasaweb.google.com/innerspacecowpanos/Tif19?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfV_P2nrP63tgE#slideshow/5413330795288254210

I told you BURNIANS are coming over …

WHAT NOT TO LOVE !!!

Brrr!!!

I was waiting to long at the station….hmmmm
Anyways… the key will be under the 2nd pot …
Santa …decoration…
No kidding .

Safe travels!!!

or click above if u prefer a proof sheet form of presentation…
enjoy

click below:

http://picasaweb.google.com/innerspacecowpanos/Tif19?authkey=Gv1sRgCIfV_P2nrP63tgE#slideshow/5413330230471142898

ALL…PLZ DONT GO AWAY..
NEW LINK COMING UP IN A FEW MINUTES…
Completely different style of narration..
i hope i wont disappoint anyone..:)

DAVID…
At this point it is easier to talk to Obama …in person,
than find Alexis mother…she refuses to meet anyone that is connected with
the media…Politicians and the cheap, emotional stations (tv) exploited and used the tragic death of Alexis..for publicity and rates…
They used the murder in a disgusting way..i dont blame her..but i keep trying..
calling people etc…but at this point nobody trusts nobody..
but ..im not giving up..

any chance of getting a portrait of the mother of the Alexis as we spoke? that would really round out your work here i think….