The grounds of one of Greece’s most prestigious universities were the scene of a violent confrontation yesterday between extreme left- and right-wing activists that led to three students being taken to hospital with knife wounds.

Events at Panteion University in Athens began to unfold around noon after the school’s rector denied a request by a group of students to hold a party in the university grounds.

Some 70 students decided to hold a sit-in protest. This, however, turned violent when the group noticed a first-year student who was allegedly a member of an extreme right-wing organization.

The protesters found a flare gun and a starter’s pistol in his possession. They gave the weapons to the rector, Stamos Papastamos, who handed them to the police.

According to police, the protesters kept the student hostage. At around 5 p.m., some 50 members of the extreme right-wing organization Chryssi Avgi (Golden Dawn) forced their way into the building and clashed with the leftists.

Three students, including one woman, suffered knife wounds during the ensuing fight. They were taken to hospital, where they are thought to be in stable condition.

The Chryssi Avgi members left the scene and the leftist students formed barricades around the university grounds with burning dumpsters. They also threw Molotov cocktails at the six squads of riot police that had gathered outside.

Police remained outside the university late last night, fearing the right-wingers would return. The student who had been taken hostage was released. He had suffered some injuries, authorities told Kathimerini.

Under a law known as university immunity, police are not allowed to enter the grounds unless university authorities invite them in.

A panel of academic experts which the government has asked to propose ways of reforming university education is due to present its findings on Monday. Sources told Kathimerini that changes to university immunity will be among these.