A Roma teenager who was shot in the head by Greek police as he fled a petrol station last week, allegedly without paying, has died.

The 16-year-old was left in a critical condition after officers opened fire following a short chase in Greeces second biggest city of Thessaloniki.

Doctors at the Hippocrates hospital said the boy died at 10:10 local time (08:10 GMT) on Tuesday.

The officer involved has been arrested and placed under investigation.

The shooting is the latest in a spate of similar incidents in Greece and has reignited a debate around police violence in the country.

In last weeks shooting, the teenager was accused of filling up his car with €20 (17) of petrol, before fleeing from the station without paying.

CCTV released on Tuesday revealed that four policemen were inside the petrol station at the time.

The boy drove away chased by police on motorbikes and a 34-year-old officer said he opened fire after the teenager turned his vehicle towards them with the aim of ramming into them.

According to local media, the officer has been released under house arrest pending a judicial decision as to whether he should be held in custody.

He has already appeared in court accused of attempted homicide and other offences.

Civil Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos - who has responsibility for Greeces security services - wrote on Twitter that he was deeply saddened by the boys death.

The case is being investigated by the court, which is the only one competent to assess the facts and judge the responsibilities, he added.

The incident sparked days of widespread protests among members of Greeces Roma population.

The Roma is the countrys largest minority group, said to number some 270,000 people mostly living in makeshift accommodation.

Demonstrators in Thessaloniki burned tyres and rubbish bins in the west of the city before throwing petrol bombs at police, local media reported.

Protests also took place in several other cities, including in the capital Athens. On Friday, some demonstrators chanted: It wasnt the petrol, it wasnt the money, the cops shot because he was Roma.

Panagiotis Sabanis, head of the Roma Federation of Central and Western Macedonia, has called for justice for the killing.

There is racism against us in Greece. Its not the first incident of a police shooting against a Roma just because he is a Roma, he said last week.

Boy shot by police prompts outrage in Greece

Officers hurt in Athens police brutality protests

Thai warship capsizes leaving 31 sailors missing

Capitol riot panel recommends charges against Trump

Whats next for Trump legally and politically

Will Elon Musks ultimatum cost him Twitter?

Elation in Argentina, sorrow in France - fans react

Nations reach landmark deal to protect nature

The agonising wait to identify the dead in Ukraine

Saying sorry for slavery leaves Dutch divided

I quit my job rather than go back to the office

Polar-bear capital warms too fast for the bears

Argentina win 2022 World Cup final - in pictures

Ukraine chooses Eurovision act from bomb shelter

The dark side of a childrens classic

Asias most beautiful train route?

Clarkson horrified Meghan column caused hurt

Twitter users vote in favour of Musk stepping down

Amber Heard settles defamation case against Depp

Dozens injured from turbulence on Hawaii flight

Gunman in Canada mass shooting was aged 73

Whats next for Trump legally and politically

Thai warship capsizes leaving 31 sailors missing

Vatican defrocks pro-Trump priest activist

Will Elon Musks ultimatum cost him Twitter?

Iran protesters family find torture signs on body

© 2022 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.Read about our approach to external linking.