The occupation of the historic center of the University of Athens by a group of anarchists – who are demonstrating against the “Type C” maximum security prison facilities among others – continues for a third day. Anarchists have also reportedly occupied the mayor officers in Nea Smyrini and Xanthe, as have the local SYRIZA offices in Patra.

A group of academics has arranged to protest against the continued occupation of the Rectorate at 11am and issued a statement explaining that their demands “are irrelevant to any academic issues” and that this “unacceptable action harms the public university as a whole” and claim that they have “taken all necessary actions, verbally and in writing, in order to solve the problem”.

About 100 academics and university employees gathered outside the under-occupation Rectorate and were pushed away by a group of anarchists, with shouting and slogans. The police did not intervene.

Meanwhile, anarchist groups have called for a demonstration outside the Propylaea at 6pm, which will then be followed be a motorcade to the Ministry of Justice. The anarchists who are occupying the Rectorate issued a statement explaining that they have carried out the symbolic action in support of the demands of imprisoned hunger strikers. Their demands include:

  • The abolition of “anti-terrorism” legislation, particularly laws on terrorist and criminal organizations
  • The abolition of special repressive laws
  • The abolition of “Type C” maximums security prisons
  • The delimitation of the use and processing of DNA as evidence
  • The immediate release of Savvas Xiros, who is 98% disabled
  • The immediate release of family relatives of Conspiracy of Fire Cells members

The public prosecutor has requested from the police authorities to implement the necessary legal actions regarding the occupation. A similar order was issued verbally on Monday, when the University Rector Mr. Dimopoulos expressed his desire for an intervention to end the occupation.

After a preliminary investigation, the public prosecutor estimated that a number of crimes warranting police intervention were being carried out and has informed the police.