The student group RAPAN SAFN EAAK has raised serious concerns after the administration of the Athens Law School claimed it had no knowledge of who ordered the removal of door handles from emergency exits in the building just two days ago. According to the group, the university’s leadership told student representatives that it has no idea who instructed the maintenance crew to carry out the work, which involved using a power tool to cut the handles off exit doors, rendering them useless and damaging university property. Equally concerning, they say, is the unexplained transfer of the building’s porter to the Zografou campus, after he questioned whether there was any official order to carry out the removals.

Statement from the student group:

“Despite the administration’s own role in creating dangerous conditions at the Massalia building – which houses three departments and thousands of students – everyone is now claiming ignorance and denying responsibility.”

“The rectorate told student representatives that it does not know who authorised the team that, in broad daylight just two days ago, cut off the handles of emergency exit doors. Nor does it know who ordered the transfer of the porter, who simply asked whether there was an official directive for the work. That request led to his sudden relocation to the main another campus.”

“We’re left wondering: does the rectorate know who decided to keep one of the main exits shuttered with metal blinds and the atrium exit locked? Or is the only thing it does know that, as it claims, the decision to suspend Monday’s classes came from the police, to which the administration immediately complied?”

“Is there any evacuation plan in place for getting thousands of students and staff out of the building through a single exit in the event of a fire or earthquake? Or are we just left to our fate – trampled or trapped like rats?”

“Who authorised the destruction of the emergency exits leading to the atrium? Who will cover the cost of the damage – and the repairs? And on what grounds does the police have the authority to decide when lectures for three departments should be cancelled, just before exam season? Especially when there’s no actual threat to the safety of the building or its occupants?”

“We already know the answer. In their efforts to support the government’s ‘law and order’ doctrine – to instil fear among students and fabricate a story of ‘bold crackdowns on campus lawlessness’ – they’re willing to put all of us at risk.”

“We refuse to be used as guinea pigs in the New Democracy party’s publicity games. We demand that the administration take responsibility, immediately restore safety to the building, and reverse the vindictive transfer of the staff member who dared to ask a simple question.”

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