ATHENS

A Greek prosecutor freed a police officer who shot and killed a 20-year-old Syrian national in the central province of Larissa, local media reported on Sunday.

The officer, 45, told the prosecutor that he regretted the incident and claimed he had not intended to kill the victim, according to the ERT public broadcaster.

He claimed his firearm went off when he tripped over an obstacle while chasing the fleeing victim, who was then hit by the bullet.

Detained after the incident, the officer, was subsequently freed without charges, said the news report, adding that a forensic investigation was pending.