According to the announcement, on 29 April three members of the council were summoned by police to receive a summons and appear as suspects for ‘jointly disrupting the operation of a service’. The students say that, after being informed of the case file, the procedure appears to have begun following a complaint by a parent at the school who requested an end to the occupation.

They also claim that the school principal, K Andreadakis, was summoned by the authorities and allegedly named students, handing over a list of the members of the fifteen-member council. As a result, three students were ultimately summoned as accused representatives of the group.

The students stress that it is particularly troubling for a collective student decision to be dealt with through criminal proceedings. They also express dissatisfaction with the attitude of the school administration, which they accuse of failing to inform either them or the teachers’ association.

The students describe the targeting of minors over a social mobilisation as unacceptable, arguing that school occupations are a long-standing means of student protest and expression. They call on society, students, parents and teachers to stand by them and support their classmates facing prosecution, saying they expect a solidarity gathering outside the Police Headquarters on the day of the deposition, which will be announced soon.

Their statement reads:

‘In October, the students of the Chania Music School staged an occupation in support of the hunger striker Panos Routsi. In fact, during the occupation, K Andreadakis was touring the school building with the head of secondary education and members of the fifteen-member council who are now being prosecuted. At that time, we were informed that a complaint had been filed against us and we protested vigorously.

‘On Wednesday 29 April, three members of the fifteen-member council were called to the office to receive a police summons, calling us to the police station as suspects “for jointly disrupting the operation of a service” in order to testify.

‘Then, having now read the case file, we know that this procedure was initiated following a complaint by a parent at the school who requested the end of the occupation.

‘The school principal, K Andreadakis, was immediately summoned and, in addition to handing over an extensive list with the names of all the students on the fifteen-member council, indicated the three-member group as representatives, who were summoned as the accused.

‘We consider it, first and foremost, regrettable and unacceptable that a parent at the school reported minors for a collective decision concerning a deeply social issue. Secondly, we are particularly concerned that our principal not only handed us over to the police as common criminals, but also did not consider it important to inform either us or the teachers’ association of his actions.

‘We consider it important to respond massively and in a coordinated manner to the system’s attempt to silence and intimidate us. Occupations have long been a way for students to protest and react, and are an integral part of our expression.

‘It is sad that, in an era full of insecurity, wars and corruption, those being treated as criminals are underage students fighting for a better future.

‘We call on the entire community, classmates, teachers, parents and students to stand in solidarity with our classmates facing prosecution. We expect your presence and support outside the Police Headquarters on the day of our classmates’ deposition.

‘The date will be announced soon.

‘The fifteen-member council of the Chania Music School.’

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