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5 clusters · 27 sources · 2 days · First seen · Last updated

Thessaloniki public assembly restrictions

Overview

Tensions rose in Thessaloniki following a planned speech by Ilios Kasidiaris, a former member of the Golden Dawn organization, at a local hotel. To manage potential protests and counter-demonstrations by anti-fascist and leftist groups, authorities implemented restrictions on public gatherings in large parts of the city center. Police authorities issued a formal ban on outdoor gatherings between 09:00 and 21:00 in the city center and the Vardari area, citing a “serious risk to public safety.”

On October 28, 2026, violent clashes erupted as anti-fascist protesters, including labor unions and activist groups, gathered at the Venizelos monument and attempted to march toward Egnatia Street despite the gathering ban. Security forces, including MAT riot police, used tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and chemical agents to respond to protesters attempting to bypass blockades. Clashes also occurred on Olimpou Street, where masked individuals reportedly threw stones and bottles at officers. The unrest coincided with the national anniversary of the ‘OXI’ against fascism.

In the aftermath, political fallout intensified. On October 29, the PASOK party issued a joint statement demanding immediate answers from Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis regarding the police handling of the demonstration. While PASOK condemned violence committed by masked groups, representatives including Giorgos Moulkiotis emphasized that such actions should not serve as a “pretext for disproportionate police force against peaceful demonstrators.” The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also criticized the police intervention as an “unjustified attack.” Additionally, SYRIZA branches in Thessaloniki condemned the police response, describing the intervention as an act of suppression that tarnishes the memory of the October 28 anniversary.

Entities

Thessaloniki · Ilias Kasidiaris · PASOK · Greece · Hellenic Police

Timeline

  1. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    PASOK demands answers from Greek Minister regarding Thessaloniki police response

    The PASOK party is calling on Greece's Citizen Protection Minister to explain the use of police force and chemical agents against peaceful anti-fascist protesters in Thessaloniki.

  2. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek political tensions rise over social policy and police intervention

    The Greek party EL.AS. has criticized the government over the costs of social policy advertising in the Metro and the police crackdown on anti-fascist protesters in Thessaloniki.

  3. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    SYRIZA announces political counter-offensive and criticizes police action in Thessaloniki

    SYRIZA is launching a political counter-offensive with new economic proposals while condemning police suppression of anti-fascist protesters in Thessaloniki.

  4. [POLITICS] 15 sources
    Thessaloniki: Clashes erupt during anti-fascist protests

    Clashes occurred in Thessaloniki between protesters and riot police during anti-fascist demonstrations against a speech by Ilias Kasidiaris, leading to police use of tear gas and several detentions.

  5. [INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
    Thessaloniki: Police arrests and protests over political gatherings

    Thessaloniki sees a series of police arrests for looting and smuggling, alongside tensions over protest restrictions regarding a planned political gathering.

Sources

agriniosite.gr · alfavita.gr · alphatv.gr · athina984.gr · dnews.gr · efsyn.gr · ertnews.gr · ethnos.gr · gazzetta.gr · grtimes.gr · iefimerida.gr · lifo.gr · lykavitos.gr · newsbomb.gr · pamehellas.gr · patrapress.gr · pieria24.gr · press-gr.blogspot.gr · prin.gr · seleo.gr · tanea.gr · thefaq.gr · thepressroom.gr · thessnews.gr · thetoc.gr · tvxs.gr · vathikokkino.gr

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history