A trial involving 38 university students arrested during a recent police operation at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) has been rescheduled for May 2024. The arrests followed a decision by university authorities to ban all events not related to academic activities in light of previous disturbances following parties at the Polytechnic School. Notably, many students were apprehended after they gathered for a film screening at the university, which was deemed a violation of the newly imposed curfews, leading to police intervention.

On the night of the incident, students had gathered at the Polytechnic School to watch a film, but their continued presence on campus past the 10 PM curfew prompted the deployment of police forces. A significant number of the arrests occurred near the university, specifically close to the Palais des Sports. The case was taken to the Single-Member Criminal Court of Thessaloniki, where the hearing was delayed due to the unavailability of the defense lawyer, marking the second postponement in this ongoing legal matter.

The situation reflects broader tensions between university regulations, student activism, and law enforcement responses in Greece. The university’s decision to impose stricter limitations on student gatherings has been controversial, particularly in the wake of student protests and social movements. This trial not only affects the individual students involved but also involves discussions about academic freedom, rights to protest, and the role of police in educational institutions across the country, indicating the importance of the case in the context of current debates on governance and civil liberties in Greece.