ATHENS – Condemning an attack on a Greek student who was defending his sister from bullies, Education Minister Niki Kerameus said one of the assailants was the son of a teacher at the school but was suspended for only two days while five others will be moved to other schools.

The attack happened in a high school in Athens’ Vyronas neighborhood and left the teen helping his sister hospitalized with head injuries. The victim said he was beaten by the gang, said to be four Albanians and two Greeks, when he stepped in to protect his sister.

After his report to the authorities, officers opened a file against the six attackers who could face charges of causing dangerous bodily harm, said Kathimerini, although it’s rare for students who become violent to be prosecuted. The suspects were taken to a prosecutor but released pending trial. None involved in the fracas were identified, nor was the teacher.

Kerameus visited the school and said that she wouldn’t tolerate violence but didn’t say why the suspension was for only two days or if leniency had been shown because the student was the son

“The Ministry of Education will be relentless towards such behavior,” she said although it’s not unusual in Greek schools. She said other measures would be taken against the attackers but wouldn’t say what they were, if any.

A team of psychologists and social workers were sent to the school for students who needed any counseling because of the brutality of the attack. It was also reported by police to the victim’s father as well.