According to a press release from the Greek Communist Party on 15 June 2022, in the context of a trial held in Thessaloniki hearing a case against some its party members, upon conclusion of the proceedings the party members were attacked by police officers who were attending as witnesses for the prosecution, as well as other on duty police officers, as they were leaving the courtroom. The party has demanded an investigation (see more in 1, 2, 3).
In a state governed by the rule of law, the police authorities must be governed by certain principles, including the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of the abuse of police power and the respect for and protection of human rights.
The powers of the police authorities and the conduct to be displayed by them in the performance of their duties are regulated, inter alia, by Decree 141/1991 and Decree 254/2004.
Although the police may use force to enforce the law, this does not mean that all use of preventive or repressive force by the police is lawful. On the contrary, the arbitrary use of the power to use force and police action in excess of legal limits is a dangerous phenomenon for a democracy.
This reportedly unprovoked attack by police officers on political party members at the Thessaloniki courts seems, however, to be outside the legal limits of police action.
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