Hundreds of police officers have launched a barrage of preventive checks since morning on suspicious individuals heading towards the Polytechnic. The majority of narrow streets leading to the Polytechnic gates are being monitored by police officers, who have so far proceeded with 11 arrests, while the number of checks is more than double. Police are searching for individuals carrying “war materials” including molotov cocktails, flares and anything else used annually by anti-establishment groups and troublemakers who attempt to tarnish the Polytechnic march.
As part of the security measures, it should be noted that nearly 5,000 police officers are participating. These include traffic police personnel facilitating vehicle circulation, which will become extremely difficult in the city center in the coming hours, officers from special services including riot police (MAT), motorcycle units (YAT), OPKE, DRASI, State Security personnel, Anti-Terrorism Service and other services who want to ensure the smooth conduct of the 52nd march commemorating the Polytechnic uprising. Since morning, police drones have been providing “live” footage to the Hellenic Police Operations Center, as well as helicopters coordinating the movements of police forces according to needs.
Water cannon vehicles are also on standby, along with fire service vehicles and EKAB ambulances. Those arrested have been taken to the Hellenic Police headquarters on Alexandra Avenue, where their role in specific incidents is being investigated.
