“The Postgraduate and Doctoral Students’ Association of History and Archaeology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) expresses its support for our colleague, member, and former president, Vasilis Gkonis, who was arrested on 21 November, 2024, on charges of being the founder and member of a terrorist organisation, possessing weapons, and allegedly renting a storage unit found that same month in Pangrati.” Despite no incriminating evidence linking him to any illegal activity, Gkonis remains in prison, with his colleagues calling for his immediate release to allow him to return to his research and family.
As the association points out, “The sole ‘evidence’ against him for his pre-trial detention is the fact that he was recorded on a bank’s surveillance camera, depositing the rent for a storage unit into a bank account, doing a favor for a friend.”
“The search of his family’s homes revealed no incriminating evidence, he was not found in possession of any keys to the storage unit, and no DNA, fingerprints, or anything else related to him was found in the vicinity. The storage unit’s owners did not recognize him as their tenant, and the publication of his photo and personal details in the media provided no information against him,” adds the Postgraduate and Doctoral Students’ Association.
“The only reason he remains in prison is because he refuses to inform on the person who asked for his financial help. His recent request for release has been rejected,” the association notes.
“He is an outstanding colleague, having participated in international scientific conferences and seminars, collaborating with the Historical Archive of the University of Athens, and appearing as a historian on radio programs. This is deliberately omitted by the mainstream media because it doesn’t fit the ‘terrorist’ profile they are trying to create for him.”
“He is in the process of completing his doctoral dissertation, which he was about to defend in our department,” the association adds.
“We call for the immediate release of our colleague so that he can reunite with his family, return to his work, and continue his research without any further delays,” the statement concludes.
“This ordeal will not make me lose my trust in people.”
Vasilis Gkonis recently shared an open letter with the newspaper Efsyn, in which he addressed his ongoing detention and the absence of any proof connecting him to illegal actions :
“The only reason I am being charged is because I was recorded by the camera of the Alpha Bank branch in my neighborhood, depositing the rent for a storage unit that hid weapons.”
“I explained to them that I made the deposit because I was convinced I was paying the rent for a friend’s apartment, who had financial problems and had asked for my help.”
“The search in my home and my mother’s home revealed no incriminating evidence. I didn’t have any keys to the storage unit, nor was there any genetic material, fingerprints, or anything else related to me in the vicinity.”
“How is it possible for me to be imprisoned, accused of serious crimes, without evidence?”
“I am asking for my release because I have not committed any crime, not as a trade-off for revealing someone‘s identity.”
“Since my arrest, my life has stopped. I lost my freedom, I was separated from my loved ones, and I lost my job.”
“While the media focused on my work as a high school teacher, it overlooked my in-depth study of modern Greek history and my active involvement in the academic community as a historian.”
“I want it to be known that I am unjustly accused of crimes I have not committed, over an act of humanitarian aid.”
“This ordeal will not make me lose my trust in people.”
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