![\"Thessaloniki](\"https:\/\/www.ekathimerini.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Aristotle_university_thessaloniki_intime-320x200.jpg\")
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki says its vice-rector for international relations was attacked by a group of students inside a university administration building on Thursday, forcing him to abandon a scheduled meeting with a foreign delegation and be taken to hospital.<\/p>\n
The university\u2019s rectorate said Vice-Rector Iakovos Michailidis was subjected to an \u201cunacceptable and deeply anti-democratic act\u201d during an incident that unfolded inside the administration building on campus.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the university said Michailidis was targeted by a group of students and faculty members seeking to overturn a unanimous senate decision on student housing regulations. It described the actions as a violation of institutional order and democratic procedure.<\/p>\n
The university said that due to the intensity of the confrontation, Michailidis was forced to interrupt a planned meeting with a delegation from a university in Hong Kong and was taken to AHEPA Hospital in Thessaloniki. It added that his condition is stable.<\/p>\n
The rectorate condemned what it described as attempts to impose demands through intimidation, saying such actions undermine academic freedom and the smooth operation of the university.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese phenomena have no place in a public university,\u201d the statement said. \u201cThey express a small minority attempting to impose its will through intimidation, violating human dignity and undermining institutional functioning.\u201d<\/p>\n
The university said it would take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of students and staff and to safeguard normal operations, adding that \u201ctolerance for such behavior is zero.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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