Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis on Sunday sent a letter to the parents of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly shot dead by police the previous night.
　
The government "will do everything possible" to prevent a repeat of the incident that has led to riots in Athens and other Greek cities, Karamanlis said.
　
"I want to assure you that there will be no leniency in seeking out responsibility. The state, as is its obligation, will do everything possible so that yesterday's tragedy is not repeated, " said Karamanlis in the letter.
　
The boy was shot in the chest in the Athens district of Exarhia on Saturday night during a clash between police and a group of 30 youths who are members of leftist, anti-establishment groups. The boy died shortly after being taken to hospital.
　
Two officers have been under arrest. Police officials said an investigation was underway and an autopsy will be carried out to determine whether the boy was shot directly or killed by accident as claimed by the police officer.
　
Earlier on Sunday, demonstrators took to the streets in Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra and other cities, setting fires to cars, damaging banks and shops, and throwing stones and Molotov cocktails at police who responded with tear gas.