This was a mock trial that stripped away the racist motivations from the case. These men had forced refugees into a trailer, called them “pieces,” Their rhetoric, as exposed by ThePressProject, clearly identified the victims as “illegal immigrants.”
Also, their vehicle displayed far-right symbols.
Today, the Three-member Court of Criminal Appeals of Komotini sentenced the three far-right vigilantes to five years in prison, convertible to a fine of mere €10 per day. The court’s failure to acknowledge the racist motives is outrageous. Despite their brutal actions during last year’s fire, the court downgraded the charges from felonies to misdemeanours, discarding allegations of robbery and racial animus. The ringleader, Apostolos Tota, received a 63-month sentence, while the other two extremists were given 60-month sentences.
These sentences, convertible to a fine, mean the perpetrators are immediately released, having been detained since last September. They have also filed an appeal, which suspends their need to pay the fines.
The court’s decision to dismiss the racist motives is perplexing. These men forcibly packed refugees into a trailer, derogatorily referring to them as “pieces,” and displayed far-right insignia. Their rhetoric and actions, as revealed by TPP, were steeped in racism.
The Alexandroupolis Council of Delinquents had previously ordered the full and final release of the 13 refugees abducted in August 2023.
Eyewitnesses in the courtroom described the proceedings as a mock trial. They recounted, anonymously, the events leading up to the prosecutor’s motion on Tuesday.
Two police witnesses claimed they saw nothing unusual when they arrived on the scene, describing the refugees as holding bottles of water. This narrative seemingly aimed to downplay the severity of the offence. They also stated that the migrants were relocated on police orders, glossing over the fact that the refugees had testified they were held for four hours. It was evident that the police testimony parroted the defendants’ version of events.
Medical examiner Mr. Pavlidis provided dubious testimony, suggesting that any bruises on the refugees were likely from thorns or rough terrain, rather than violence. When challenged by a judge, he ambiguously stated that “a weapon is anything that doesn’t shoot.” His testimony appeared to downplay any signs of physical abuse, asserting that any late-appearing bruises were not indicative of violence.
This trial, mired in bias and downplaying the severity of the crimes, failed to deliver justice for the 13 refugees. The blatant disregard for the racist motivations behind the attack underscores a troubling constant indifference of the Greek State to such hate-fuelled violence.
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