Following the serious incidents that occurred in the early hours of Saturday (07/02) around the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Deputy Education Minister Nikos Papaioannou referred to the new legal framework for university security and the need to assign responsibilities where they exist. Specifically, speaking to SKAI, the deputy minister emphasized that there is a specific legal framework and disciplinary and civil responsibilities for those who cause incidents.
Papaioannou: Controlled access to closed university spaces is something defined by law
Additionally, Mr. Papaioannou reminded that the ministry has requested full briefing from the University to clarify all questions.
Among other things, he questioned whether and who gave permission for the event, whether there was permission known to the university authorities and other administrative bodies of the university, and what actions the security company followed, who they notified and what response they received. As he said, the University’s response is awaited.
Furthermore, the deputy minister clarified that no damage occurred within the University premises. Regarding the new announcement from Aristotle University that raises the issue of “immediate activation of controlled access to University spaces,” Mr. Papaioannou explained that controlled access to closed university spaces is something defined by law.
As he said, all 24 public universities in the country had sent their security plans by 31/12 and noted that the ministry will be supportive – financially – for the required infrastructure.
313 detentions, no arrests – What the authorities respond
“A response to all those who declare that while 313 people were detained for the incidents, no arrest was made,” is given by the Union of Officers of the Hellenic Police of Central Macedonia.
The operational management of extensive and dynamic incidents is not exhausted in hasty moves of impressionism, it is noted. Substantial and “serious” arrests require time for evaluating evidence, identifying those involved and complete procedural armor, so that they have real results and not temporary communication impact.
“The choice of mass detention of 313 people constitutes a clear and conscious operational initiative, which allows substantial investigation of incidents and attribution of documented responsibilities,” the Union further states.
The announcement in detail
“Our Union condemns the organized action of groups of people, who in the early morning hours of Saturday caused serious incidents in the area of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, attacking police forces with Molotov bombs and other dangerous objects, resulting in the injury of our colleague and causing material damage to citizens’ property.
We consider it our duty to congratulate General Police Director of Thessaloniki Mr. TZIMAS for the overall management of these serious incidents, given the particularly demanding conditions, and primarily to congratulate the police officers who were involved with professionalism and composure – especially the units that were on the front line – thanks to whom order was restored, while 313 detentions were made.
To those who maliciously rush to comment that no arrest was made, we must point out the following:
The operational management of extensive and dynamic incidents is not exhausted in hasty moves of impressionism. Substantial and “serious” arrests require time for evaluating evidence, identifying those involved and complete procedural armor, so that they have real results and not temporary communication impact.
The choice of mass detention of 313 people constitutes a clear and conscious operational initiative, which allows substantial investigation of incidents and attribution of documented responsibilities.
We therefore ask those who make premature conclusions to show the necessary patience and responsibility, awaiting the completion of the prescribed procedure.
The Presidency of the Union,
President, Psarogiannis Ioannis
General Secretary, Giariskanis Petros
1st Vice President, Mouratidis Charalampos
2nd Vice President, Politis Ioannis
3rd Vice President, Psathas Chrysovalantis
Treasurer, Babalis Emmanouil
Public Relations Officer, Koukoufis Stavros
Organizational Secretary, Baxevanos Christos
Executive Secretary, Papanikolaou Dimitrios”
The uniform of the police officer who received the Molotov cocktail in Saturday’s incidents around the Aristotle University is referenced meanwhile in a Facebook post by the president of the Union of Police Employees of Thessaloniki, Thodoris Tsairidis. The Molotov cocktail caused burns to the officer’s face and neck. “Perhaps the time has finally come for immediate activation of controlled access to University spaces” the university authorities of Aristotle University emphasize in their latest announcement. The announcement was issued late in the evening in the shadow of the serious incidents in the early hours of Saturday.
