Over a dozen individuals were detained following protests at the University of Athens School of Law, with nine foreign nationals remaining in custody pending deportation. The demonstrations were part of a wave of support for Palestine in the wake of the ongoing conflict with Israel in Gaza.
Nine European nationals face deportation from Greece after their involvement in disruptive anti-Israel demonstrations at the University of Athens School of Law last month. The protesters, hailing from Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Spain, were among 28 people detained on charges of disrupting the operation of a public entity and assistance in damaging foreign property.
According to court documents, evidence presented against the demonstrators included leaflets, Palestinian flags, smoke flares, gas masks, helmets, paint cans, and banner poles. A statement uploaded on a website in Greek and English also urged others to join the protest, which centered on expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Despite denying any wrongdoing, the protesters have been denied bail. The nine foreign nationals remain in custody pending an administrative decision on their deportation. Their lawyers have issued a statement expressing concern that the deportation orders would prevent them from attending their own trial.
The University of Athens students involved in the protests were released pending trial last Tuesday. However, the nine foreign nationals, ranging in age from 22 to 33, face possible deportation, a move that has been labeled "arbitrary and illegal" by their legal representatives.
The demonstrations in Athens were part of a broader wave of support for Palestine that has swept across Greece and other countries. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has sparked protests in solidarity with Palestinians, with demonstrators calling for an end to the violence.
The Greek government has cracked down on such activities, citing concerns about public order. In 2019, a law prohibiting police from entering universities was scrapped, allowing law enforcement to respond more effectively to potential disturbances on campus.
Despite the crackdown, support for Palestine remains strong in Greece, as evidenced by the widespread participation in protests and the vocal support for Palestinian rights. The case of the nine detained foreign nationals has further highlighted the tensions between freedom of expression and national security concerns in the context of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
