Prosecutorial intervention over the incidents at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

The intervention by the Thessaloniki Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office was prompted by the incidents that took place in the early hours of Saturday (07/02) on Egnatia Street, outside the premises of the Polytechnic School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Specifically, the head of the Thessaloniki Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office, Leonidas Nikolopoulos, intervened regarding the events and ordered a preliminary investigation by the Public Prosecutor of First Instance, requesting that it be examined whether the Rectorate of Aristotle University was aware of the party that was to be held, whether any request had been submitted and whether permission had been granted. He also requested that the stance taken by the security company at Aristotle University in relation to this case be investigated.

The Rectorate has already replied that no permission was granted for the party to take place.

It is noted that the police authorities had proceeded with the detention of 313 individuals, who, after the required procedures, were released from the General Police Directorate of Thessaloniki, while no arrests were made.

Deadline of the Ministry of Education expires

It is recalled that today, Monday (09/02), the 48-hour deadline set by the Ministry of Education for the administration of AUTH expires, within which it must provide full information regarding the serious incidents that occurred in the early hours of Saturday outside the Polytechnic premises.

According to information from ERT, the Rector of AUTH is expected to meet with the Minister of Education regarding the explanations that have been requested. Meanwhile, the university itself left open on Sunday (08/02) the possibility of controlled access to its premises, with scenarios under consideration including the installation of turnstiles at entrances and an increase in security staff.

Statement by the Rectorate authorities on the incidents

“A sad, insignificant minority of so-called defenders of freedom turned yesterday the courtyard of the Polytechnic and 3rd of September and Egnatia streets into a theatre of criminal behavior against the police, citizens, and the academic community itself,” state the Rectorate authorities of AUTH, identifying those responsible for the incidents in their announcement, while at the same time raising the issue of the “immediate activation of controlled access to the University’s premises.”

Specifically, the announcement by the Rectorate authorities under the title “Who is tarnishing the public university?” states:

“From the investigation of the Rectorate Authorities, which is ongoing in cooperation with the Hellenic Police, potential responsibilities are being sought. Should the Polytechnic premises have been closed while examinations were being conducted until Friday evening? How many and which of the so-called revolutionaries are actually students, and why were outsiders not checked? Who spread the despicable lie that the Rectorate Authorities, the Dean, or anyone else from Aristotle University had granted permission for the event?

These and other questions concerning the attempt to tarnish the University, the disgraceful attack on security forces, the injury of a police officer, and the destruction of citizens’ property will be answered, that is certain. What is also certain is that Aristotle University will not slide back into fearful inaction and the shrinking of its important educational and research work under the threat of the most reactionary elements of Greek society. Perhaps, finally, the time has come for the immediate activation of controlled access to the University’s premises,” the AUTH statement concludes.