Berlin - Demonstrators occupied the Greek consulate in Berlin on Monday in protest at the shooting death of a 15-year-old youth by police in Athens.

A group of around 15 persons barged their way into the reception area of the building in west Berlin during the morning, embassy spokesman Pantelis Pantelouris said.

A female protester told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa the protest was directed at the Greek state, which she said bore responsibility for the teenager's death.

Police said negotiations were under way with the demonstrators in the consulate.

The teenager died after being hit by a bullet fired by a policeman in the central Athens district of Exarchia on Saturday night. Police said the shooting occurred after groups of youths began attacking a police car with stones and firebombs.

The incident triggered two nights of riots in the capital and the northern city of Thessaloniki, causing widespread damage and injuries to 40 people. (dpa)