Greek police are on high alert after a 16-year-old Roma teen was officially declared dead after days of being hospitalised in critical condition at the “Hippocrates” ICU in Thessaloniki.
Roma, groups, and collectives are organising rallies and protest marches in Athens, Thessaloniki, and other major cities in Greece. Since noon, police forces have been mobilised to prevent riots. Officers have been transported to Western Attica, while the country’s Police Departments, especially those located near Roma settlements are also on heightened alert for possible raiding attacks.
Following the news of the teen’s death, the first incidents of actions by the Roma were reported in the afternoon in Chalkida, Mytilini, and Rhodes. A fire broke out shortly before 19.00 in a Roma camp in Aspropyrgos and on the lines of the suburban railway. The result was that the itineraries of the Piraeus – Kiato line returned to previous stations.
These are routes 1324 and 1325 of the Piraeus – Kiato Suburban line. “Trains 1324 and 1325 cannot pass through SS Aspropyrgos due to a fire in a settlement and on the lines. They return to the previous stations. Awaiting the release of the next itineraries of the line”, a post by Hellenic Train on social media informed passengers.
Meanwhile, the situation is tense in Chalkida where Roma have lit fires in the Kamares area and are gathering in order to plan a march toward the city centre and the police headquarters protesting the death of 16-year-old Kostas Fragoulis, by police fire.
There are strong police forces at the scene, according to the local news site evima.
According to the same information, about thirty Roma people are burning tires and garbage cans.
Roadblocks in Rhodes
The ring road outside the Roma camp in the “Karakonero” area, in the city of Rhodes, was closed this evening by dozens of Gypsies, mainly young males, lighting fires and setting up roadblocks, expressing their reaction to the death of the 16-year-old Roma.
Strong police forces and two vehicles of the Rhodes Fire Service rushed to the scene. The road is closed from the height of the cemetery to the intersection with Rhodes-Kallitheas for security reasons, while the Roma participating in the mobilization shout slogans and demand justice.
