Suicide Sparks New Protests in Athens

Posted on Apr 5, 2012

bbc.co.uk

Greek police officers and protesters fill the streets outside parliament Wednesday night.

After 77-year-old Greek retiree Dimitris Christoulas fatally shot himself in front of the parliament building in Athens on Wednesday, Greek protesters’ ire again exploded over the austerity measures that the government has implemented to save the country from economic ruin while sacrificing citizens’ funds along the way.

BBC:

In the alleged suicide note, found by police and reported by Athens News, he said: “The government has annihilated all traces for my survival, which was based on a very dignified pension that I alone paid for 35 years with no help from the state.

“And since my advanced age does not allow me a way of dynamically reacting… I see no other solution than this dignified end to my life, so I don’t find myself fishing through garbage cans for my sustenance.”

Dozens of people left handwritten messages and flowers at the spot where Mr Christoulas killed himself.

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