No squatters in prison (Thessaloniki Edition)

Information on the legal proceedings regarding the evacuation of the meeting point (“Steki”) behind the Chemistry Faculty (“Chimiko”) in Thessaloniki in 2022.

The Steki “Viologiko”

Occupations have always been accompanied by a touch of freedom for radical movements. As meeting places, places for political debate and structures for projects, they were always a thorn in the side of the state and were constantly the focus of repression. This also applies to the “Steki” in the “Viologiko” (Biology Faculty), which was occupied by students in 1987. Throughout the period it was composed of very diverse groups that coexisted with their different activities and different modes of action, but whose main concern was always a solidarity and self-organized practice. Over the years, the place has hosted student groups, theater and radio projects, bookstores, cafés, community kitchens, book launches, film screenings, Greek courses for migrants and refugees, and self-defense courses. In addition, the “Steki” was of central importance for the local and national DIY music scene. It was a site of political and social struggles - from student protests to conscientious objector protests to the organizing of political prisoners. As an active meeting point and meeting place in the center of the city, it was a living cell within the university.

The eviction

After the election of the right-wing conservative New Democracy government and the enforcement of its political law-and-order dogma in 2019, a full-scale attack on the occupied spaces immediately began, announced by an ultimatum from the incumbent Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis. At the same time, this ultimatum triggered a fight to defend the center. While the interaction of active resistance and the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily brought the government's political program to destroy all occupations to a standstill, the government's efforts to introduce a university police force through a new draft law and thus depoliticize the universities as meeting places for left-wing 'germ cells' were also initially thwarted by the student protests of 2021. However, it would be a mistake to think that the state would ever forget and begin to tolerate what it sees as potential threats to its order. The eviction of the occupation finally took place in the early hours of New Year's Day 2022.

The answer – a new meeting place behind the chemistry faculty

In view of the impending eviction of the “Steki”, open meetings were held in advance to defend it, in which a large number of people took part. In response to the eviction, by resolution of the meeting on January 10, 2022, a laboratory behind the chemistry faculty was occupied with the aim of creating a new meeting place that would meet the needs of the city's political struggles. A key criterion for choosing the location was its location within the university campus as an act of resistance against the sterilization and depoliticization of universities and against inner-city gentrification processes. Another criterion for this choice was the simple fact that the building in question was unused and needed to be brought back to life through a new project.

In the two days of its existence, the occupation was supported by a large number of solidarity people who, during this short period, organized events and carried out work to make the place functional according to its needs.

The process of clearing the new “Steki”

However, in the early morning hours of January 12th, this new meeting point was also evacuated. Various police units within and around the university campus were involved in the evacuation. Initially, the building was surrounded by units of riot police, OPKE and civilians who began banging on the doors and walls, asking people inside to leave the building. However, the people inside decided not to abandon the building and defend the occupation. After some time, the cops managed to get inside through a hole they punched in the wall after using tear gas and stun grenades inside. Subsequently, 15 people who were inside and outside the building were arrested and taken to police headquarters in Thessaloniki.

It should be noted that despite the university's ostensible claim that it wanted to use it as a laboratory, the building remained empty and neglected and was recently completely demolished.

The process

The trial in the first instance took place on March 20, 2025, at which 14 people were charged with the following seven crimes:

1. Joint disruption of service operations

2. Joint disruption of public order

3. Violation of the Radio Frequency Act

4. Violence against officers by several people with objects

5. Attempt to cause grievous bodily harm by several people

6. Violation of the weapons law

7. Disobedience

In the case of the 15th person, the charge is slightly different because he was arrested outside the building. She is charged with the same offenses, but counts 4 and 5 are considered only as aiding and abetting.

The trial and the penalties

During the hearing, the presiding judge administered a standardized questionnaire to all defendants. At the same time, he led the examination of the prosecution witnesses. He prevented critical questions from the defense, which he also constantly interrupted in order to protect the prosecution witnesses from becoming entangled in obvious contradictions that could have refuted their statements.

The prosecution witnesses from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - in particular Chara Charalambous, dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Theodoros Dardavesis, dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences - nevertheless contradicted each other on many occasions regarding the alleged use of the building, which was allegedly restricted by the occupation. Her claims were also refuted based on counter-statements from other professors. Nonetheless, the charge of obstructing public service was upheld.

The charge of “attempted common grievous bodily harm” against two police officers who testified as prosecution witnesses was dropped during the trial itself, as they themselves testified that they remained outside the building during the action and neither came into contact with the defendants in any way nor suffered any injuries. Nevertheless, this charge was not dropped either, so all of the accused were given an additional sentence of 20 months each.

For the accusation of “violence against officials by several people with objects”, a total of eight people were each sentenced to a sentence of 30 months (through mitigating juvenile criminal law) and four defendants were sentenced to a sentence of 40 months. The penalties imposed for this offense were the highest and formed the basic penalty to which the other reduced penalties were added.

Furthermore, the presiding judge did not ask any questions about the insubordination charge, which was not dropped despite the failure to examine it.

The charges of “possession of weapons” and “violation of the radio frequency law” were the only ones of the seven charges that were dropped because the evidence was completely insufficient. As a result, the defendants were found guilty based solely on circumstantial evidence as the court could not prove their guilt.

Four of the defendants were given prison sentences of five years and one month plus a fine. For the eight defendants who were found to have mitigating circumstances, the total sentence was set at three years and ten months. A sentence of 13 months was set for the last defendant. The prosecutor requested that the sentence be enforced, which was accepted by the court, after which the lawyers' request for a stay pending appeal was accepted.

Enforcement of compliance and the next day

This result does not surprise us. We know exactly how the justice system works when it comes to prosecuting combative individuals, whom it treats with the utmost severity - in contrast to the rare cases in which it deals with political figures, police officers or parastate informants (see the Tempi train crash, the arrested cop in Kolonos or the murderers of Vassilios Maggos). But even taking this into account, the severity of the penalties imposed is unprecedented.

The defense of the occupied building resulted in serious convictions, although the guilt of the defendants could not be proven. In view of the penalties imposed, one can speak of a paradigm shift against the background of the adoption of the new criminal law (from 2019). Thus, in court, those who refused to deny the political nature of their actions and their identity were meted out with devastating and disproportionate punishments.

Militant defenses of occupations are followed by harsh prosecutions and disproportionate charges. In such cases the state does not tolerate any exceptions. He shows his toughest side towards anyone who resists. Such acts serve as a deterrent. They are a signal to the entire movement and apply to all political actions that question the authority and order of the state. The case of the second eviction of the Matrozou occupation in Athens by the Community of Squats in Koukaki also had a similar result (see:https://www.firefund.net/koukaki), which resulted in severe punishments for the defendants and threatened them with possible imprisonment.

But the intensification of repression by all means does not deter us. In view of the new criminal law, collective resistance is more necessary than ever. The state is trying to create a climate of fear by increasing the criminalization of political actions. His goal is to wear down and suppress movements. Occupations are places of collectivization and political organization that we will continue to defend. We stand united against the corrupt justice system as we await the announcement of the Court of Appeal dates.

No squatters in prison!

Solidarity with those persecuted during the second evacuation of the Matrozou occupation.

Solidarity with all occupations!

Some convicts of the Chimiko occupation

Legal proceedings cost money. That's why you support the affected comrades in Thessaloniki through your Firefund!

https://www.firefund.net/stekistoxhmiko2022

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web address: https://kontrapolis.info/18638/author/group: Steki Chimikofeed-date: Saturday, September 12, 2026 - 08:31