A group of more than 20 demonstrators took control of the Greek consulate in the heart of Berlin today in a peaceful protest over the fatal shooting of a teenager by police in Athens.
A spokesman for the group, who wore masks and unfurled a banner in Greek and German reading "Killed by the state" from a consulate window, said they had accomplished their aim of disrupting consular operations and were planning to leave soon.
"We interrupted the 'business as usual' here," said one demonstrator who answered the consulate telephone. He said there were 30 demontrators from a variety of nations taking part.
"The Greek consulate had no operations today and that's our goal. Greece killed a 16-year-old boy. We're occupying this consulate out of solidarity."
The shooting triggered three days of riots in Greek cities.
A Berlin police spokeswoman, Claudia Schweiger, said that there were about 22 demonstrators inside the consulate, near the heart of West Berlin's shopping district, and 40 more outside.
"So far it's all been peaceful," Schweiger said.
"There's been no violence at all. One person got into the consulate this morning at about 9:40 and then opened the door for the rest."