GREECE: Alternative network under threat

Criminal action brought against the rector and the two vice-rectors of the Athens Technological University, on the very day of the 36th anniversary of the student uprising against the colonel's military junta which started in the grounds of the institution, has shocked and dismayed the Greek academic community.

The criminal action was brought by the Public Prosecutor's Office against Rector Konstantinos Moutzouris, and Vice-Rectors Giannis Polyzos and Makis Spathis on the grounds of dereliction of duty for allowing Athens Indymedia, an alternative internet network, to operate from the institution's server.

This is the second time pressure has been brought to bear on the Technological University to discontinue operation of the Indymedia. Last summer, the management of the Telecommunications Organisation which provides the institution with some optical fibre lines brought an action against it on the basis that it was contravening the provisions of the agreement between them by allowing Indymedia to operate from its server.

It is thought the initiative to silence the alternative network emanated from the extreme right-wing party in the Greek parliament.

Athens Indymedia was established in November 2001 by activists from the radical left and anti-authority groups. It has operated out of the Technological University's server for many years and played an important role in providing a stream of information during last December's riots in Athens when a 15 year-old boy was shot dead by a police officer.

But it has also publicised the press releases of terrorist groups who had targeted university rectors for their attitude towards terrorism for which it was severely criticised.

The date 17 November is indissolubly connected with the Technological University. The tanks that rolled into the grounds of the institution on that day to crush the student uprising were soundly repulsed by the indomitable spirit of the students who signed with their own blood the end of the military junta and restored democracy in Greece.

The anniversary has been declared a public holiday and is celebrated every year with particular respect to the dead and the wounded, always culminating with a march to the American Embassy, perceived at the time as the patron of the dictators.

In his speech during the ceremony at the university, Moutzouris linked the struggle of 1973 with the current economic situation, the shrinking of social rights and the curtailment of workers' achievements.

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