The former rector of A.S.O.E.E., Dimitris Bourantonis, testified about a violent attack he suffered in October 2020 during the trial against three defendants accused of the assault.
The trial of three defendants accused of publicly humiliating Dimitris Bourantonis, the former rector of the Athens University of Economics and Business (A.S.O.E.E.), has commenced. The incident took place in October 2020 when Bourantonis was assaulted in his office, an event he described as shocking and terrifying. He recounted the chaos of the attack, where he was faced with a group of individuals who suddenly burst into his office, causing wanton destruction and instilling fear in the university community.
Bourantonis described the alarming atmosphere at the university following the attack, highlighting the sense of insecurity that settled among students and staff alike. The attackers, who wore masks and scarves to conceal their identities, launched a physical assault on him, which he found particularly distressing. He noted that this occurred in the presence of the vice-rector, Mr. Drakos, further amplifying the gravity of the incident as it displayed a blatant disregard for safety within an academic institution.
As legal proceedings unfold, Bourantonis's testimony brings to light the broader issues of violence on campuses and the urgent need for measures to ensure safety in academic environments. His experience underscores the potential dangers faced by educators and administrators, and the trial will likely prompt further discussions about security and the rights of individuals within educational spaces.
