According to news247.gr, following a large and entirely peaceful demonstration, riot police units launched a sudden and violent attack on the crowd and on blocs of political organisations, using chemicals, flash‑bang grenades, and batons. The report includes videos from the march (indicatively: 1, 2, 3) showing riot police officers using unjustified violence, surrounding and chasing demonstrators who were moving peacefully on Kifisias Avenue, and then beating them severely in various ways, resulting in an ambulance being called to provide first aid to injured demonstrators. However, according to allegations, the Hellenic Police repeatedly refused to allow medical treatment by ambulance personnel and by nurses present at the scene.
During the operations, police forces reportedly used tear gas and chemicals indiscriminately within the crowd, and carried out 20 detentions of demonstrators, 18 of which were converted into arrests, according to the same report.
Political organisations and opposition parties issued statements condemning the police misconduct during the demonstration. Nea Aristera denounced the ‘sudden and unjustified’ police operation against the Communist Liberation bloc, whilst MeRA25 referred to an ‘unprovoked mass criminal attack’.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the actions and operation of police authorities must adhere to certain principles, including the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of abusive exercise of police powers, and the respect and protection of human rights. The powers of the police and the conduct required during the performance of their duties are regulated, among others, by Presidential Decrees 538/1989, 141/1991, and 254/2004.
Although the police may use force to enforce the law and protect human rights, this does not mean that any preventive or repressive use of force is lawful. Arbitrary use of force and action exceeding legal limits constitute a dangerous phenomenon for a democratic system. Police operations must also safeguard — and not hinder or nullify — the unhindered exercise of the right of assembly, which is protected under Article 11 of the Constitution.
In light of the above, the conduct of the police authorities in the present case (unprovoked use of force, detentions, arrests, and attacks against demonstrators), as documented in media reports and audiovisual material, appears to exceed the lawful limits of police action and should therefore be investigated by the competent state and judicial authorities.
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