Greece bans protests amid Turkish PM’s visit as teen killed by police commemorated

Athens is bracing for a tense weekend after the Greek government banned protests during the two-day official visit of Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, which coincides with commemorations for the 2008 murder of teenager Alexis Grigoropoulos on Dec. 6.

The 15-year-old Grigoropoulos was killed by a shot to the chest during an evening patrol during mass protests in Greece in 2008. Protesters say the innocent boy was killed by police, while the police claims acting in self-defense after a group of youths attacked officers.

After the Turkish teenager Berkin Elvan died in March following nearly nine months in a coma due to injuries sustained after being hit by a police tear gas canister during the Gezi protests, many Greek protesters commemorated him by carrying his picture alongside one of Grigoropoulos. The story of both teenagers killed in similar circumstances at the same age became the symbols of the muscled police crackdowns of protesters in both countries.

Hundreds of Greeks attend the commemoration of Grigoropoulos’ killing every year.

“Taking into account the responsibilities we all have, I call on political parties, social groups and above all citizens, regardless of their political positions and views, to understand the seriousness and importance of these moments,” Greek Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias was quoted as saying by Kathimerini on Dec. 4.

Kathimerini reports that such bans have also been put in place in the past for other foreign leaders, including the tense trip of German Chancellor Angela Merkel – blasted by many Greeks for Germany’s attitude towards the country’s financial crisis.

Turkish Prime Minister Davutoğlu will head a large delegation of ministers who will...