Tension prevailed in Syntagma Square shortly after 14:00 when people (about 250) began to gather despite the ban on gatherings announced by the Police.

These are groups of the Special Forces Reserve community and individuals identified as “Constituent National Assembly – Direct Democracy”.

The gathered and started throwing objects at the MAT squads who proceeded to use chemicals.

According to police sources, 22 arrests have been made after the tension created.

As it was announced on the police website with two press releases:

“By decision of the Director of the Athens Police, it was forbidden to hold public outdoor meetings in Syntagma Square by the movement “Constituent National Assembly – Direct Democracy” and the “Community of Special Forces Reserves”, as well as any other gathering related to them.

This decision was taken after careful consideration of the situation and analysis of the risks that may arise.

The main reason for the ban is the serious threat to public order and security, as the organizers of the gathering, through their announcements, incited acts of violence. Holding the rally could cause serious tensions, especially if counter-gatherings were to occur from opposing groups, increasing the risk to the safety of citizens and facilities.

In addition, the gathering was scheduled to coincide with the changing of the guard at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, which attracts a large number of tourists and citizens. The simultaneous presence of large numbers of people further increases the risks to public safety.
The aim of the decision is to ensure public order and security and to prevent any violent conflict. Our priority is to maintain peace and protect citizens.”

“It is announced that by decision of the Director of the Athens Police, it is prohibited to hold a public outdoor gathering on 1-9-2024 at 12:00 in Syntagma Square by members of the “Constituent National Assembly – Direct Democracy” movement, as well as the holding of a rally on 1- 9-2024 and at 10:30 a.m. by members of the “Community of Special Forces Reserves” and from 06:00 a.m. on 1-9-2024 to 06:00 a.m. on 2-9-2024 any public outdoor gathering related to above gatherings in the urban network enclosed by the streets-boulevards:

Alexandras Avenue – Zakharov – Mesogeion Avenue – Fidippidou – Michalakopoulou – Sp. Merkouri – Vryaxidos – Ymitou – Ilios Island – Ambr. Frantzi – Andreas Syngrou Avenue – Hamosternas – Piraeus – Iera Odos – Konstantinoupoleos Avenue – Achilleos – Pl. Karaiskaki – Karolou – Marni – 28th of October (Patesion) – Alexandras Ave. The above prohibition is imposed, on the one hand, as the organizers did not notify the local Police Authority of their intention to invite the general public to participate, at a specific place and time, in a public outdoor gathering as they should, in accordance with the provisions of article 3 par 1 & 2 of Law 4703/2020 and Article 3 of the Decree 73/2020, and as a result, the prescribed procedure of the current legislation on public outdoor gatherings was not observed and, on the one hand, their conduct poses a serious risk to public safety and threatens serious disruption of socio-economic life in the specific area, vehicular and pedestrian traffic, of the operation of the infrastructures and public facilities of the point of their realization”