The university authorities of EKPA (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) are holding the Police responsible for the deadly attack at the Law School on Wednesday night, which resulted in a severely injured doctoral student after being hit with a fire extinguisher. The university emphasizes that protecting public universities is a responsibility of the state.

In their statement, the university officials state that the attack was carried out by a group of approximately 10 individuals, who entered the building with masked faces. “The university administration immediately informed the Hellenic Police about the incident, which responded, but by the time they arrived, the perpetrators had already disappeared,” they note. They further highlight that the protection of university premises from masked groups is a responsibility of the state, which appears to have moved without interference through central Athens both before entering the university building and after the attack and their departure.

Regarding legislation, EKPA clarifies that police intervention is automatic (ex officio) in all university spaces when criminal offenses occur. They state that all necessary measures have already been taken to strengthen security, including staffing the Security Unit and establishing a Security and Protection Committee, which has developed the relevant regulations and security plans. The university also notes that it has repeatedly requested assistance from the relevant ministries.

The university emphasizes that it has requested funding from the state to hire the necessary number of security guards and fully implement the security plan to improve safety within its premises.

The authorities underline that for incidents involving non-university individuals, criminal organizations, and masked groups, no university has the means to handle these alone — this is the responsibility of the state. They also state that the administration has zero tolerance for violence and misconduct.

Finally, the statement concludes that any attempt to target the Greek public university regarding violence management is unfounded.

Detailed statement from EKPA

Following previous announcements and in relation to reports about the masked group attack during a student event at the School of Economics and Political Sciences, we clarify the following:

The event was organized by students from the Department of the School of Economics and Political Sciences, with the participation of professors from the same school.

The attack was carried out by a large group (about 10) unknown individuals who entered the building of the Theory Sciences Hall, masked and of unknown origin.

The university administration immediately informed the Hellenic Police, which responded, but by the time they arrived, the perpetrators had already fled. We must emphasize that protecting public universities from masked groups is a responsibility of the state, which appears to have acted without obstacles both before and after the incident.

According to current legislation, police intervention in university spaces is automatic (ex officio) when criminal offenses are committed. University spaces are not different from any other public space in terms of police intervention rights.

University officials (the Rector, the Dean of the School, and departmental administrators) have been continuously supporting the injured student from the moment of the incident, from transportation to hospital discharge. Their immediate mobilization and collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the “Red Cross” Hospital resulted in rapid examinations and the student being discharged within a few hours.

The university has taken all necessary measures, including staffing the Security Unit and establishing a Security and Protection Committee, which has drafted the required regulations and security plans. We have repeatedly sought assistance from relevant ministries regarding security and protection issues.

The university has also submitted a funded request to the government to hire the necessary security personnel and fully implement the security plan, aiming to enhance safety on campus.

However, it is evident that for incidents involving non-university individuals, criminal organizations, and masked groups, no university can handle these alone — this remains the responsibility of the state.

The current administration is committed to preventing and addressing all incidents of violence and misconduct, with zero tolerance for any such behavior, regardless of origin.

Finally, any attempt to target the Greek public university regarding its handling of violence is unfounded.