In June 2025, audiovisual material was published showing an alleged attack by riot police against demonstrators at the end of a march for Palestine, which took place on 15 June 2025 in central Athens. The video shows police forces pushing demonstrators in Omonia Square and the surrounding area, while also proceeding with arrests.
In its own reporting, the television station Mega referred to tension between police forces and demonstrators at the beginning of the gathering as well, in the area of Syntagma.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the actions and operations of police authorities must be guided by certain principles, including the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of abusive exercise of police power, 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 when necessary to enforce the law and protect human rights, this does not mean that any preventive or repressive use of force is lawful. On the contrary, arbitrary or excessive use of force and actions that exceed legal limits constitute a serious concern for any democracy.
Given the above, the incident raises questions regarding compliance with the legal framework governing the lawful operation of ELAS, particularly with respect to preventing excessive and arbitrary force against civilians, an issue that must be investigated by the competent state authorities and the judiciary.
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