A disturbing case of school bullying in the western Greek city of Patras has led to the arrest of four teenagers, aged 13 to 15, after they allegedly threatened a 13-year-old classmate with a knife and forced her to kneel outside her school.

The suspects, all fellow students of the victim, reportedly told the girl to apologize by kneeling and kissing their feet, warning that otherwise they would stab her. They filmed the incident, according to local media.

Authorities charged the minors with unlawful violence, threats, insults, and violations of data protection laws, while their parents face charges of neglecting supervision.

The victim’s mother described the frightening episode in an interview with Greek television, saying her daughter was traumatized. “They told her, ‘Kneel to apologize or we’ll stab you.’ She was terrified—cars were passing right behind her. Now she’s afraid all the time, and we don’t let her go to school alone,” she said.

The incident prompted an emergency meeting at the regional education authority to update anti-bullying measures and strategies for tackling student violence both inside and outside school premises.

Officials stressed that such behavior remains the responsibility of schools even if it occurs after class hours. “Students do not stop being students in the afternoon. Educational measures still apply,” said George Papatsimbas, head of the local secondary education department.

This is the second reported bullying case in Patras since the beginning of the new school year, intensifying debate over youth violence in Greece. Psychologists, social workers, and educational advisors have been dispatched to work with schools, teachers, and families in hopes of preventing further incidents.