Criminals put an end to campus asylum

Criminal activity on the campus of Thessaloniki University has reached such proportions that the senate committee has decided to allow the police to enter the premises after hours.

Students and academics fear the measure is the thin end of the wedge before university asylum is abolished. This provided protection to students and academics during the colonels' military dictatorship (1967-73) when freedom of speech was restricted.

University asylum remained in force with the re-establishment of democracy. Police are still not allowed on to university premises either to investigate or to make arrests without express permission.

A fierce debate for its abolition is revived from time to time, particularly when militant students mount violent protests, clash with the police or cause damage, or criminals take refuge.

The campus of Thessaloniki University, the largest in Greece, has been home to violent mafia-style gangs who sell drugs and guns, promote prostitution and sometimes threaten the lives of academics and students.

Floodlights and student patrols have not been effective so the senate committee decided to restrict asylum to the university's operating hours.

Students and academics protested because they claim study and research is going on 24 hours a day.