The arrest of prominent anarchist Nikos Romanos has intensified public and political debates following an explosion in an apartment in Ampelokipi, Athens, on October 31, 2024. Romanos, who rose to prominence after witnessing the fatal police shooting of his best friend, Alexandros Grigoropoulos, in 2008, is accused of involvement in the case. His detention, based on a contested piece of evidence, has led to protests and renewed scrutiny of Greece’s anti-terrorism measures.

The Ampelokipi explosion

The explosion, which occurred in a third-floor apartment, claimed the life of a 36-year-old man reportedly handling an explosive device. The blast seriously injured his partner and caused extensive damage to the apartment and neighbouring units. Authorities allege that the location was being used for manufacturing explosives intended for illegal activities.

In the aftermath, the police arrested three individuals: a man who was allegedly near the apartment during the explosion, a woman who had received the keys to the premises, and the injured woman. Criminal charges, including participation in a terrorist organisation and the manufacturing and possession of explosives, have been filed against the accused.

Nikos Romanos’s arrest

Romanos’s arrest on November 18 stems from a fingerprint found on a garbage bag linked to the case. However, his lawyer, Nikolas Aletras, argues that the evidence likely dates back to 2013, during Romanos’s initial arrest for unrelated charges. Aletras has stated that Romanos denies all allegations, has no connection to the other accused, and was not involved in the Ampelokipi explosion.

Romanos, who was released from prison in 2019, has remained a central figure in anarchist and activist circles. His arrest has reignited discussions around his past, particularly his association with the 2008 killing of Grigoropoulos, which triggered widespread riots in Greece. Romanos’s subsequent imprisonment and hunger strike in 2014 further cemented his status as a symbol of resistance for anarchist movements.

Protests and solidarity

The arrest has prompted widespread protests. The “Assembly of Solidarity for Imprisoned, Fugitive, and Persecuted Fighters” held a rally outside the General Police Directorate of Attica (GADA) on the evening of Romanos’s detention. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Solidarity is our weapon” and decried what they described as a “media pogrom” targeting those arrested in connection with the explosion.

In Berlin, activists occupied the Greek consulate in support of Romanos and others implicated in the case. The Assembly has accused authorities and media of using leaks to smear the accused and manipulate public opinion, calling the charges against Romanos baseless.

A controversial figure

Romanos’s role as a prominent anarchist has made his arrest a focal point of political contention. In 2008, he was present when Alexandros Grigoropoulos was fatally shot by a police officer, a killing that sparked weeks of nationwide unrest. Six years later, Romanos staged a high-profile hunger strike while in prison, demanding educational leave, which he ultimately secured.

His detention now comes against a backdrop of increasing tensions between Greek authorities and anarchist movements, with critics accusing the government of weaponising anti-terror laws to suppress dissent. Romanos is expected to appear before an investigative judge later this week, while protests in support of him and others involved in the case are expected to continue.

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