EL.AS issued a statement regarding the murderous attack received last night by the 31-year-old police officer, who is hospitalized in a critical condition at the hospital in Nice. The announcement emphasizes that there are “strong indications that the perpetrators of the attack are among those arrested”.

EL.AS emphasizes: “Regarding the murderous attack against YAT police officers that occurred in the afternoon yesterday, December 7, 2023, outside the closed stadium “Melina Merkouris” in Agios Ioannis Rentis and while the Olympiacos volleyball match was in progress – Panathinaikos for the League Cup, it is announced that:

During the match, hooligans came out of the stadium and acted threateningly towards the policemen – throwing objects, stones, and directly firing naval flares, as a result of which a YAT police officer was seriously injured, who was taken to the nearest hospital, where he is being treated in a serious condition condition.

From the stands of the stadium where these people returned after the attack, more than 400 people were brought in, who were taken to the Migration Directorate of Attica. In these persons, a full verification of information is carried out, taking witness statements, as well as taking samples for the purpose of detecting gunpowder.

The above procedure is under the supervision of prosecutorial authorities, which will be completed within the next period and is being followed, as there are strong indications that the perpetrators of the attack are among those arrested. After the completion of this procedure, the prosecuting authorities will decide on the further procedural management of the accused.

So far, clothing (blouses, jackets, full-face hoods), remnants of improvised incendiary devices, a folding knife, remnants of burnt clothing, firecrackers and flares have been found and confiscated from the stadium area.

The preliminary investigation is carried out by the Sub-Directorate for Combating Violence in Sports Venues of the Attica Security Directorate”.

Dozens of parents outside Metagogon

Meanwhile, dozens of parents have gathered since the early hours of the morning outside Metagogon, in Petrou Ralli, as their children have been brought there and are waiting to see what the developments will be.

ELAS made 424 arrests after the incidents that took place last night outside the closed “Melina Merkouri” gym.

The detainees were transferred to the Aliens Department as part of the investigation conducted by ELAS to identify the fan who threw a naval flare at the police and seriously injured one of them.

According to ELAS, shortly before 22:00 approximately 150 fans came out of the closed gym and threw stones, molotov cocktails and flares at the police forces, who responded with the use of chemicals.

A firecracker thrown by fans hit a 31-year-old policeman in the thigh, seriously injuring him. The policeman was rushed to the General State Hospital of Nicaea where he underwent a long operation as he had lost a lot of blood. He is currently hospitalized in critical condition in the ICU of the hospital.

The hospital was not on duty, but due to the criticality of the situation, the Emergency Department was opened.