he latest high-profile instance of gang-style violence on a Greek public university’s premises occurred on Tuesday at the Athens University of Economics and Business (ASOEE), when seven masked perpetrators effortlessly entered an amphitheater and assaulted the lecturing professor of in front of students.

Greek universities and tertiary institutes have long been plagued by violence, mostly by extremist groups who self-identify as anarchists and anti-establishment activists. A somewhat unique, by western standards, law provides an “asylum status” to tertiary-level campuses in the country, whereby law enforcement cannot easily respond and patrol without the permission of faculty-elected university administrators.

On Tuesday, the group of perpetrators were part of a larger group of 10-15 people that invaded the premises.

Several college students were also roughed up when they attempted to protect the professor.

The incident generated an order by a top prosecutor for a preliminary probe on whether offenses such as assault, disturbing the peace and illegal violence were committed.

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