Assassination of Michalis Kaltezas


Michalis Kaltezas was a 15-year-old Greek protester who was shot at the back of his head by police officer Athanasios Melistas during the annual Athens [Polytechnic uprising#Legacy|17 November protests].
After his death, violent protests and the occupations of the Chemistry School and the National [Technical University of Athens|Athens Polytechnic] followed. This event was part of the far-left disillusionment of Andreas Papandreou's failure to fulfill his campaign promises, leading the youth to violence against the 'establishment.' The police officer was sentenced to two years imprisonment, but he appealed and was declared innocent. Melistas' defense lawyer was Alexandros Lykourezos; the plaintiff attorneys were Nikos Konstantopoulos and Fotis Kouvelis.
On 26 November 1985, Leftist terrorist organization 17 November attacked a police van to avenge the death of Kaltezas; the attack resulted in the death of a police officer. In the attack of the 17 November's communiqué stated that Papandreou is "now working for the Right, which explains why it has yet to be overthrown."