Protesters attack Athens courthouse

ATHENS, Greece, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Greek protesters attacked an Athens courthouse Wednesday where the two police officers who sparked massive riots were to appear before a judge, witnesses said.

Demonstrators attacked the city main courthouse hurling petrol bombs at police as the two officers accused of slaying a 15-year-old boy -- whose shooting started the riots -- were set to face a judge, the German broadcaster Deutshe Welle said.

Clashes erupted outside the main courthouse before the hearing could begin, witnesses told the broadcaster.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Athens again Wednesday yelling, "Down with the pigs" and waving black flags amidst a landscape of burned and looted shops.

The march came as Greece's two largest labor unions staged a 24-hour strike, adding to the tension. Greek Prime Minister Konstandinos Karamanlis had asked the labor unions to call off the strike, which was originally called to press economic demands for higher pay and to protest budget-tightening measures, CNN said.

Banks, schools and hospitals were closed, and transportation and transit systems ground to a halt in Athens. Many local and international flights were canceled.