Two serious incidents have been recorded in the last 24 hours in Athens and Thessaloniki, targeting university students. On the one hand, members of Rubicon vandalized the apartment building where Professor Vana Nikolaidou-Kyrianidou of the National Academy of Sciences of Athens resides, while in Thessaloniki a group of students attacked the vice-rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Iakovos Michaelides.
Specifically about the attack on the vice-rector of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, according to an announcement by the Rectorate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Mr. Michaelides was protested by a group of students, with the support of faculty members who were opposing a unanimous decision of the Senate on the Regulations of the Student Halls. After the incident, she was reportedly rushed to AHEPA hospital.
A detailed statement from the Rectorate of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
“Today’s attack against the Vice Rector of International Relations, Outreach, Lifelong Learning and Student Affairs of the Aristotle University, Professor Iakovos Michaelides, inside the administration building, constitutes an unacceptable and deeply undemocratic action that is directly directed against the proper functioning of the University.
The harassment by a group of students, supported by faculty members, in order to annul a collective unanimous decision of the Senate regarding the Regulations of the Student Halls, violates every notion of institutional order and democratic process. Senate decisions are the result of legitimate, collective and transparent procedures and are not subject to extortion or pressure.
Due to the tension and aggression, the Vice Chancellor had to interrupt a scheduled meeting with an international delegation from Hong Kong University and was urgently transferred to AHEPA Hospital. Fortunately, his health condition is good.
Such phenomena have no place in a public university. They represent a weak minority attempting to impose their will by means of intimidation, insulting human dignity, endangering human life and undermining academic freedom and institutional functioning.
The Rectorial Authorities clearly state that they will take all necessary actions to protect the students and staff of the institution, ensuring its smooth operation. Tolerance of such behaviour is zero.
The Aristotle University must and will remain a place of knowledge, security and respect for institutions. Not a field of violence and arbitrary enforcement.”
The Anarchist Assembly of Students also issued a statement calling for “interference” with the vice-rector and asking that there be no eviction.
Members of Rubicon vandalized the apartment building where Professor Vana Nikolaidou – Kyrianidou lives
A few hours later, members of Rubicon wrote slogans on the entrance of Vana Nikolaidou – Kyrianidou’s apartment building.
It is recalled that the professor of philosophy at the University of Athens is not the first time she has been targeted as in January 2025, unknown persons vandalized her office, writing anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian slogans with spray paint on the walls, while they also threw curricula.
In addition, in September 2024, anti-authoritarians targeted her with slogans when she supported ridding universities of perpetual students, while in March 2023, members of the student movement “SAF-EAK/Cooperation of Independent Philosophy Students” made interventions such as surrounding the professor’s office, interrupting her classes, etc.
At the same time, Ms. Nicolaidou had denounced that she had been in the crosshairs of youth parties for a long time, because, as she had said, she had spearheaded the removal of the title of honorary doctorate of the University of Athens by Vladimir Putin.
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