ATHENS – Seven Greek police officers charged with homicide for a stolen car chase shooting in which they said the 20-year-old who was killed tried to run them down were released without restrictive conditions.

The decision was taken after a lengthy deposition before a Piraeus Examining Magistrate and with the consent of the prosecutor, said Kathimerini, although the details weren’t revealed and the family of the man killed complained about the incident.

A 15-year-old who was in the car escaped after the chase by motorcycle officers but he later turned himself in. He and the man shot are Roma

The police officers denied the charge of intentional homicide, saying that they did not intend to open fire on the occupants of the vehicle, the paper said.

Reports said that after the officers cornered the driver, he turned the vehicle and rammed them before being shot dead, with more than 30 rounds fired at the car. The decision to release the officers was greeted with applause from their colleagues who had gathered outside the court.