Protests in front of the courthouse in Larissa and policemen guard marked the start of the trial against the 11 students who were seized in the city during the protests that followed the murder of Alexis Grigoropoulos in December 2008. The case is up before a three-member court and behind closed doors.
There are several charges against them specified in the law against terrorism. In particular, the nine boys and the two girls, who were at high-school two years ago, are described in the indictment as members of a criminal group with an established and sustained activity, seeking to carry out various infractions of criminal nature. The young people are accused of resistance, participation in criminal group, illegal carrying of weapons and making and possession of explosives.
The hearing began with the examination of the witnesses for the prosecution, who are a total of 69. 12 of them are policemen while the others are bank managers, shop owners and citizens. Only six witnesses were questioned until the lunch break.
According to some sources, policemen have recognized the faces of the young perpetrators of damages in general, while the other witnesses could not say the same. "I do not know them," said each of them separately. Together with the 11 minors, six of which are already full age, were captured 9 adults as their accomplices. The judges of the Court of Appeal decided in March this year that there was insufficient evidence and declined the allegations for seven of the offenses, most of which were criminal in nature, and referred the case for consideration by the three-judge district court in Larissa.
Dozens of students and young people gathered in front of the courthouse in the town to support the 11 defendants. They hold in their hands banners against the anti terrorism law and for the release of the defendants. The union of teachers in secondary schools in Larissa decided at a meeting to interrupt the school classes for three hours to enable students to participate in the acts in support of the defendants. There were protest rallies organized by several leftist organizations.
The trial will continue on Monday when it is expected to be completed.
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