Serious incidents, including attacks on police forces, 313 detentions, and the injury of a police officer, occurred in the early hours of Saturday at the School of Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), following an unauthorized party. The incident prompted intervention by the Ministry of Education, which requested that AUTH provide, within 48 hours, full explanations regarding the events and the security measures in place on university grounds.

According to the Hellenic Police, the party— which, according to police sources, takes place every year without authorization—escalated into widespread unrest. Groups of individuals attacked police forces with Molotov cocktails, while during the clashes a police officer was injured in the face and neck.

Authorities proceeded with 313 detentions. As reported, all detainees cooperated in the fingerprinting process and were subsequently released, as no incriminating evidence was found against them. During searches of the university premises, Molotov cocktails, wooden poles, and quantities of drugs were located and seized.

Following the incidents, the Rectorate Authorities of AUTH issued a sharply worded statement, referring to an “insignificant minority” that turned the University into a battleground. At the same time, they once again raised the issue of the immediate activation of controlled access to the institution’s facilities.

In the statement, titled “Who Is Tarnishing the Public University?”, questions are raised about how the unauthorized party took place, who participated, whether there were outsiders involved, and who spread—according to the statement—the false narrative that approval had been granted by the Rectorate Authorities. AUTH makes clear that it does not intend to show “fear-driven inaction” and announces changes to the way campus security is handled.

The Ministry of Education condemned “in unequivocal terms the serious incidents of violence” and requested immediate and comprehensive information from the Rectorate Authorities, the competent administrative bodies, and the police.

The statement emphasizes that AUTH is obliged, within 48 hours, to outline both the actions already taken and those that will follow, in accordance with Law 5224/25, regarding security and access to university premises.

Molotov Cocktails, Poles, and Drugs Found Outside AUTH After the Incidents

At the School, as reported by ERT, authorities located and seized 25 wooden poles, 7 Molotov bombs, 10 gas masks, and a small quantity of cannabis.

These materials appear to have been transported there by students.

The incidents occurred during an unauthorized party held within the university. It is noted that during the disturbances, a police officer was injured in the face and neck. According to police, nothing incriminating emerged against any of the detained individuals, and they were all released after cooperating with fingerprinting.

Rectorate Authorities on the Incidents at AUTH

“A sad, insignificant minority of so-called defenders of freedom turned yesterday the courtyard of the School of Engineering and the streets of 3rd September and Egnatia into a theater of criminal behavior against the police, citizens, and the academic community itself,” the Rectorate Authorities of AUTH state in a subsequent announcement issued late Saturday night, while simultaneously raising the issue of the “immediate activation of controlled access to university premises.”

Specifically, the statement titled “Who Is Tarnishing the Public University?” reads:

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

These and other questions regarding the attempt to tarnish the University, the shameful attack on security forces, the injury of a police officer, and the destruction of citizens’ property will certainly be answered. What is also certain is that Aristotle University will not once again descend into fear-driven inaction and the shrinking of its significant educational and research mission under the threat of the most reactionary elements of Greek society. Perhaps the time has finally come for the immediate activation of controlled access to university premises,” the AUTH statement concludes.

What the Police Say

In its statement, the police report that individuals with their facial features covered emerged suddenly and successively in groups from AUTH premises during the early morning hours of Saturday. At the junction of Egnatia Street and 3rd September Street, they launched unprovoked attacks on police forces, throwing a large number of improvised incendiary devices (Molotov cocktails).

“As a result of the violent Molotov attacks, one police officer was injured and admitted to the 424 Military Hospital, while material damage was recorded to three vehicles.”

To de-escalate the situation and prevent further attacks, police forces made necessary use of appropriate means and tactics, while prosecutorial and rectorate authorities were immediately informed.

At the same time, 313 individuals were taken to the General Police Directorate of Thessaloniki, with procedures remaining in full progress.

Ministry of Education

The Ministry of Education “unequivocally condemns the serious incidents of violence that occurred in Thessaloniki, in immediate proximity to a university area.” At the same time, it requests immediate and full information from the Rectorate Authorities, the competent university administration and security bodies, as well as from the police.

“The Rectorate Authorities of AUTH must, within 48 hours, document the actions taken on their part as well as the actions to follow, in accordance with Law 5224/25,” the announcement states.

Full Ministry Statement

“The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports unequivocally condemns the serious incidents of violence that occurred in Thessaloniki, in immediate proximity to a university area.

The Ministry has requested immediate and full information from the Rectorate Authorities, the competent university administration and security bodies, as well as the police authorities, regarding:

• Whether the event was known to the university authorities
• Whether a request and relevant authorization had been submitted
• The role of the university’s security company
• The exact incidents and the extent of the events
• Whether and to what extent illegal acts or damage occurred within university premises

The Rectorate Authorities of AUTH must, within 48 hours, document the actions already taken and those that will follow in accordance with Law 5224/25. The State now has a clear and comprehensive framework of provisions for the prevention and combating of violence at universities. This framework will be fully and strictly applied, should the legal conditions be met. Responsibilities will be sought and assigned.

The Ministry is closely monitoring developments and will do whatever is necessary to protect the safety of the academic community and the smooth operation of higher education institutions.”