On 31 October 2024, journalist Giorgos Androutsos (Γιώργος Ανδρούτσος) working for Rizospastis (Ριζοσπάστη – https://www.rizospastis.gr/) was violently detained by police while covering a demonstration by seasonal firefighters in Athens (Αθήνα), Greece. The protest, occurring outside the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, involved demands for permanent employment following a challenging wildfire season. Despite one Member of Greek Parliament’s warning that Androutsos was a journalist, police officers reportedly threw him down, beat him, and handcuffed him. The police also attacked the seasonal firefighters.
Injured, Androutsos was taken to Evangelismos Hospital (Νοσοκομείο Ευαγγελισμός) in Athens for a check-up before being released from custody the next day, though he still faces charges. Androutsos was released by an verbal order of the prosecutor and after a case file was filed.
The incident sparked criticism from Greek media and international press freedom organizations, who demand accountability, warning that such attacks undermine journalistic safety and press rights. Reaction came also from the Journalists’ Union of the Athens Daily Newspapers – Ένωσις Συντακτών Ημερησίων Εφημερίδων Αθηνών Ε.Σ.Η.Ε.Α. and from the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions – Πανελλήνια Ομοσπονδία Ενώσεων Συντακτών Π. Ο. Ε. Σ.Υ.
Witnesses recorded officers aggressively confronting both journalists and protesters as riot units escalated the clash with force, including tear gas.
Androutsos later described being dragged and restrained, noting that despite repeatedly identifying himself as a journalist, police persisted in their aggression.
Critics argue that increasing state repression is stifling dissent and freedom of the press, particularly as government policies face growing public dissatisfaction.
You can watch the video of the attack here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmLnt4oq-1Q&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.902.gr%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.902.gr&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemns the violent attack and arbitrary arrest of journalist Giorgos Androutsos by the Greek police while he was covering a protest by seasonal firefighters in Athens. Such acts undermine press freedom and are a direct assault on the vital role journalists play in a democratic society. Authorities must urgently investigate this unacceptable incident, hold those responsible accountable, and ensure that journalists are protected, not threatened or harmed, when performing their duties. Police violence and harassment against the press have no place in a democratic state. SEEMO emphasizes that journalists should be protected, not targeted, when performing their duties, and will be closely monitoring developments in this case to ensure that freedom of the press is upheld and that justice is served.
South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) is a regional non-governmental, non profit network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in Southeast, South, East and Central Europe. SEEMO members are in Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova (with the territory of Transdnestria), Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye / Turkey, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. Austria, Italy, Vatican and San Marino have a special status in SEEMO. SEEMO has over 3000 individual members, and additional media as corporate members.
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