Greek authorities have filed criminal charges against individuals arrested during the protests in Syntagma Square on Friday, February 28, marking two years since the deadly Tempe train disaster. The Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office has charged 30 people, including 25 alleged members of the anarchist collective Rouvikonas, with offences ranging from disturbing the peace to illegal possession and use of flares, as well as refusal to submit to fingerprinting.

Detention of Rouvikonas members sparks backlash

The 25 detained members of Rouvikonas will remain in custody until Tuesday, March 4, when their trial is set to resume. The group condemned their detention as politically motivated, stating:

“The trial of the 25 members of Rouvikonas has been postponed. The unprecedented fact is that our comrades will be held in custody over mere misdemeanour charges until Tuesday. No state attack intimidates us. The real criminals remain free, while those who demand justice for the victims of Tempe are locked up.”

Rouvikonas: “We are being detained, not those responsible for Tempe”

In a statement, Rouvikonas called for continued mobilisation against what they describe as a state cover-up of the Tempe disaster:

“We participated in the rally at Syntagma and carried out a direct action at the offices of Hellenic Train, the company directly responsible for the crime. This company continues to profit while operating a crumbling railway network, facing no legal consequences. Yet, those who protest against this mass killing are the ones being held in the cells of ‘democracy.’”

The collective also criticised police tactics during the protests, denouncing widespread arrests that included minors and individuals unaffiliated with the demonstrations.

The Hellenic Train intervention and police response

On the morning of February 28, Rouvikonas activists entered the Hellenic Train offices and unfurled banners from the building’s top floor, with black smoke as a symbol of mourning. They remained there for 30 minutes, chanting slogans that were met with cheers from demonstrators heading to the main protest at Syntagma Square.

Despite heavy police presence around the building, officers stormed the balcony in riot gear and violently removed the protesters.

“The police intervention on the rooftop was reckless and could have led to fatalities. Had one of our members fallen from the top floor, who would have been held responsible?” the collective stated.

Following their arrest, the activists were transferred to the Aliens’ Detention Centre and charged with disturbing the peace and violating the law on flares—charges filed by Hellenic Train itself.

“Yes, you read that correctly. The very company responsible for the Tempe crime had the audacity to sue us.”

They further criticised the legal system, highlighting how the extension of their detention aligns with broader judicial policies aimed at suppressing dissent.

“The new criminal code reforms have led to harsher pre-trial detention policies, allowing judicial authorities to routinely refuse release in misdemeanor cases.”

Solidarity rally planned for arrested protesters

A solidarity demonstration in support of those arrested is scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, at 09:00 outside the Evelpidon Court Complex. The Popular Struggle Front “Electra Apostolou” is among the groups calling for mass turnout, describing the arrests as part of an ongoing state crackdown on dissent:

“On February 28, the people of Athens fought a massive battle against state repression. Thousands reclaimed the streets, refusing to let the government erase the memory of Tempe. In response, the state unleashed brutal violence and mass arrests.”

“From activists in organised blocs to Rouvikonas members who dared to hang a banner at Hellenic Train, repression was indiscriminate. The police even endangered lives by attacking demonstrators on a rooftop.”

The group is demanding the immediate release of those detained and the dismissal of all charges, vowing to continue the struggle against state impunity.

“Lift the charges—Free the arrested!”

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