13 March 2025: The Single-Member Court of Misdemeanours in Athens ruled in favour of the acquittal of the 28 individuals arrested for occupying the Law School in May 2024, as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people. The decision was reached with the unanimous agreement of both the judge and the prosecutor. During their testimonies, the accused defended their participation in the occupation, aligning themselves with the wider student solidarity movement that has been intensifying worldwide. “At a time when universities in Gaza have been reduced to rubble, we felt this was the least we could do,” they stated, rejecting the harsh charges brought against them. “The Greek government exhibited an excessive overreaction to the Palestinian protests, misusing the police force,” said defence lawyer Anny Paparrousou to TPP. Her colleague, Efi Mougaraki, added, “University authorities should exercise greater restraint and caution when reporting students for such legitimate protests and should refrain from involving State Security. It is deeply disheartening to witness Security Forces and Police tactical unit inside National University of Athens Law School"
Report by Nektaria Psaraki
The 28 arrested individuals, mostly students along with international activists, faced charges including disruption of public service, property damage, violations of arms and flare laws, and resisting fingerprinting, according to the case file compiled after the violent police raid on the Law School on 14 May 2024. The building had been occupied since the evening of 13 May as a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian people and to demand that the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) cease collaborations with Israeli companies contributing to genocide.
The charges, which were ultimately dismissed, were based on claims that the occupation disrupted the university’s operation, that slogans painted on the walls constituted property damage, and that wooden poles found in a locked storage area were considered weapons. The accused were also alleged to have possessed flares and refused fingerprinting.
Police testimony: “I don’t remember finding damage”
The prosecution’s first witness, a police officer, testified that the police were called in via an email from the Dean. At around 6:00 AM, officers from Greek police tactical unit (OPKE), the riot police (MAT), and State Security, accompanied by a prosecutor, forced entry into the Law School by breaking the chain securing the entrance.
“We saw political slogans on the walls reading ‘Free Palestine’. I don’t remember finding any destruction, but we did find slogans. In a locked room near the foyer, we discovered wooden poles, helmets, and gas masks. We had to break the lock to enter,” the officer stated.
When questioned by the prosecutor, the officer admitted that no one was found guarding the locked door, and he could not recall the reaction of the occupants when the lock was broken. “At that moment, we were focused on our job,” he responded. When further questioned by the defence, he confirmed that the police had received an email the night before stating that the building was under occupation. “When we entered, we found them in the foyer, and next to it was the locked door, which we took the opportunity to open for inspection,” he said.
“Why did you choose to open that specific door?” a defence lawyer asked. “What are you saying? We had to inspect all areas,” the officer replied. When asked whether they had a mandate to search all rooms, including lecture halls, he gave no substantive answer.
The officer also confirmed that the so-called ‘wooden poles’ were in fact the sticks used by students to hold flags during protests. Asked if he could confirm that the graffiti was written by the accused, he replied, “How would I know who wrote it?”
Security guard: “I found the building spotless”
The university’s security guard provided a different account: “On the morning of 14 May, the university called me to work. When I arrived, I did not see any damage. The building was spotless, and I signed for it after checking all eight floors.” When asked about the presence of gas masks, flares, and poles, the guard responded, “Are you referring to the old canteen? That space was officially allocated to students 15 years ago and is managed by student unions. When I arrived, its shutter was closed.”
He further confirmed that the access had never been blocked to staff or students: “In all my years working here, they have never obstructed the entrance for students, professors, or myself.”
“The school is most often closed by order of the dean’s office, not due to occupations.”
Professors and staff testify against the police action
Professors Aristotelis Tympas and Dimitris Karydas testified that all lessons continued online without disruption and that the university’s operation was hindered not by the students, but by the police. “The presence of the police and their disproportionate use of force is what truly harms the university community. I believe the police acted based on misinformation,” Karydas stated. Another staff member also confirmed that the university often remains closed due to administrative decisions rather than student occupations.
Defendants: “It was the least we could do”
During their statements, the 28 accused described how they ended up at the Law School, with most explaining that they had attended a concert and sit-in protest at Propylea following the example of American universities. “As Gaza’s universities lay in ruins, we felt this was the least we could do,” they said, emphasising their participation in a global solidarity movement. They also recalled that EKPA had signed a cooperation agreement with an Israeli fibre optics company, stating:
“We gathered at Propylea to demand the removal of the companies that exploit our degrees in order to perpetrate genocide.”
Police violence and abuse of power
The accused denied all charges, alleging police brutality and misconduct. One student testified that officers insulted her during her arrest, telling her, “Go back to your Gaza.” Foreign activists reported that they were not provided with translations during proceedings, meaning they were unaware they had been asked to give fingerprints. An Iranian journalist, arrested alongside other foreign activists and later detained for deportation, stated that despite identifying herself as a journalist covering the student solidarity movement, police confiscated her camera and arrested her.
Judge and Prosecutor rule in favour of acquittal
The prosecutor sided with the defence, arguing that there was no evidence to support the charges of disrupting university operations, as classes continued online, nor of property damage, as no link was established between the accused and the alleged graffiti. Additionally, the possession of weapons was dismissed since the wooden poles were locked away in an area the accused did not control. The charge of resisting fingerprinting was also ruled unconstitutional. The prosecutor recommended acquittal, which the judge upheld.
Upon the announcement of the verdict, the courtroom erupted in applause and chants of solidarity. Outside the court in Evelpidon, supporters continued to chant in solidarity with both the accused and the Palestinian people.
Defence lawyer Efi Mougaraki criticised university authorities, stating:
“Rectoral Authorities should be more cautious when reporting students for legitimate protests and should not involve State Security. Seeing police forces inside the Law School is truly disheartening.”
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