An Athens court has sent a 17-year-old pupil to a reform institution for taking part in a sit-in at her school nearly four years ago. Its decision has been condemned by education authorities, teacher unions and parent-teacher associations.
Georgia Chronopoulou was only 13 when she and another four students were arrested by the police in 1992 for “causing wilful damage to school property”.
In a different case 12 schoolchildren were committed to trial for their part in a sit-in at their school in 1992. They are facing charges of disturbing the peace, unlawful violence and causing wilful damage to school property. Four parents are also facing criminal proceedings for being morally responsible and for inciting the students to violence. The cases are being seen as an attempt by the judiciary to stifle the student movement in schools.
