Greek police issued a statement regarding the serious incidents that unfolded in the early hours of Saturday around Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. According to the announcement, “masked individuals attacked police forces unprovoked and without cause, throwing Molotov cocktails at them.” Additionally, “313 individuals were detained at Thessaloniki General Police Directorate, with the process still in full progress,” the police statement said.
Police statement on university riots
The detailed police statement reads: “In the early morning hours today Saturday (07-02-2026), masked individuals suddenly and successively emerged in groups from Aristotle University premises and at the intersection of Egnatia and 3rd September streets, attacked police forces unprovoked and without cause, throwing a large number of improvised incendiary explosive devices (Molotov cocktails) at them.
The result of the violent Molotov cocktail attacks was the injury of one police officer, who was admitted to the 424 Military Hospital, while material damage was recorded to three vehicles.
To de-escalate and prevent further attacks, police forces proceeded with necessary use of appropriate means and tactics, while prosecutorial and university authorities were immediately informed.
Meanwhile, 313 individuals were detained at Thessaloniki General Police Directorate, with the process still in full progress.”
University riots: Weapons and Molotov bombs found inside engineering school
According to new information coming to light regarding the incidents that unfolded around the university in Thessaloniki, authorities discovered batons, Molotov cocktails, masks and small amounts of cannabis inside the Engineering School.
Specifically, as reported by Greek public television, police found 25 batons, 7 Molotov bombs, 10 gas masks and small amounts of cannabis. According to the same information, all these materials are believed to have been brought by some university students into the premises. The announcement for the party, after which the riots occurred, had been made a week earlier, but the location had not been announced until just hours before it began.
48-hour deadline for university from education ministry
The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports also issued an announcement about the incident, giving university authorities 48 hours to provide explanations for the riots that took place in Thessaloniki.
As stated in the announcement, the ministry “unequivocally condemns the serious violent incidents that occurred in Thessaloniki, in immediate proximity to university premises.” At the same time, it demands immediate and complete information from university authorities, relevant administrative and security bodies of the university as well as from police authorities. “University authorities must within 48 hours document the actions taken on their part as well as the actions that follow according to law 5224/25,” the announcement characteristically notes.
Full ministry statement:
“The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports unequivocally condemns the serious violent incidents that occurred in Thessaloniki, in immediate proximity to university premises.
The ministry has requested immediate and complete information from university authorities, relevant administrative and security bodies of the university as well as from police authorities regarding:
-Whether university bodies were aware of the event
– Whether there was a request and related permit
-The role of the university’s security company
-The exact incidents and extent of events
– Whether and to what degree illegal acts or destruction occurred within university premises.
University authorities must within 48 hours document the actions taken on their part as well as the actions that follow according to law 5224/25. The state now has a clear and comprehensive framework of provisions for preventing and combating violence in universities. This framework will be fully applied without any compromise, provided that legal prerequisites are met. Responsibilities will be sought and assigned.
The ministry closely monitors developments and will do whatever is required to protect the safety of the academic community and normal operation of institutions.”
University authorities: We didn’t authorize any party
For their part, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki authorities, in a press release, stated that “extremist elements outside the university campus, in cooperation with like-minded individuals found inside the Engineering School, exploiting the fact that the school was open due to ongoing classes, attacked police forces, injuring one officer and causing damage to parked cars.”
The same press release emphasizes that “reports about granting permission for a party are not true, as such things are prohibited by law. University authorities in cooperation with police are investigating the possibility of student participation in the incidents.”
Regarding the 313 detained individuals, they were released late in the afternoon as no evidence emerged against them.
How the university riots unfolded
Riots erupted at 2 AM Saturday in central Thessaloniki, resulting in 313 detentions.
According to reports, masked individuals emerged from Aristotle University and threw Molotov cocktails at riot police units stationed at the intersection of 3rd September and Egnatia streets. A second group within the university campus was launching Molotov cocktails toward police forces deployed on Egnatia street.
Riot police attempted to limit their actions using tear gas, while water cannon vehicles were deployed to repel attackers and extinguish fires. The atmosphere in the area was suffocating.
According to reports, one police officer was injured by a Molotov cocktail explosion and transferred to 424 Military Hospital. Meanwhile, several cars suffered damage from the improvised bombs, while one vehicle was completely destroyed. At the beginning of the riots, the young troublemakers set fire to garbage bins and used them as barricades.
