THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Authorities in Greece detained 313 individuals on Saturday following a significant raid at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the country’s second-largest city. The incident unfolded during predawn hours when riot police were unexpectedly attacked by groups of people armed with over 100 Molotov cocktails. This incident represents a severe escalation in violence against law enforcement, particularly near university campuses.
According to Greek police, hooded individuals emerged from within the university campus and launched the assault on the riot police unit. This unit is typically stationed away from the campus to manage disturbances arising from the frequent all-night parties held on university grounds. In light of the violence, police took the unusual step of detaining 313 people, all of whom were subsequently released without charges, marking a rare occurrence of mass detentions during such confrontations.
The tactics employed by the riot police involved the use of tear gas and stun grenades to repel the aggressive attackers. In the aftermath of the clash, one police officer sustained severe burns to his face and leg and required hospitalization at a military facility. Additionally, a 21-year-old civilian was treated for respiratory issues, highlighting the potential danger posed by the Molotov cocktail attacks and the crowd's participation in the violence.
The university administration issued a statement attributing the violence to "extremists" from outside the campus collaborating with certain individuals on university property. This revelation prompted the institution to launch an investigation aimed at ascertaining whether any students were involved in the tumultuous events. Furthermore, the administration emphasized that no official permission had been granted for any gatherings or parties to occur on campus, suggesting that these activities were illicit and could have provoked the conflict with police.
This incident contributes to an ongoing trend of violence associated with university campuses in Greece, particularly in Thessaloniki. Although clashes between riot police and students or other groups are not uncommon, the scale of this particular event, both in terms of the number of participants and the intensity of violence, marks a notable deviation from the norm. It raises concerns about safety on university grounds and the implications of unchecked violence during student gatherings.
As police continue their investigations and assess the situation, the broader implications of such clashes for the university community and law enforcement will be scrutinized. The prevalence of violence and its potential ramifications on academic environments highlight the critical need for dialogue between students, university officials, and law enforcement to foster safer campuses in Greece.
