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A Greek court has decided to release from custody the police officer who shot and killed a 16-year-old Roma man in Thessaloniki on December 5 after a chase over an unpaid gas bill, Greek media reported.

The policeman has been banned from leaving the country.

The court of first instance in Thessaloniki approved the proposal of the investigation to release the 34-year-old policeman, Kathimerini newspaper reports, despite the opinion of the prosecutor's office.

Roma pelted Greek police with stones after the death of the teenager in Thessaloniki

The victim's family and representatives of the Roma community requested that the policeman remain in custody.

The victim, Kostas Frangoulis, spent more than a week in critical condition in hospital after the Dec. 5 shooting and died Tuesday.

Police launched the motorbike chase after the young man filled up his pick-up truck at a gas station in Thessaloniki and drove off without paying a €20 bill.

a police officer

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Roma youth