Khatib was detained on Saturday at Heraklion airport in Crete. He had travelled to the island to take part in a planned event on the Palestinian struggle. Konstantina Kartsioti of the Anti-Imperialist Front, who was also brought to the airport by the authorities, was released after an hour, while Khatib remained in detention.
Samidoun Greece calls for mobilisation
In a statement, Samidoun Network – Greece called for ‘a massive popular mobilisation demanding the immediate release’ of Khatib, describing his arrest as arbitrary and politically motivated.
The group said the Greek government had labelled him a ‘threat to national security’ in order to facilitate his deportation and silence ‘one of the strongest voices of solidarity with Palestinian prisoners’.
It alleged that Khatib is being held at the Heraklion Security Directorate in degrading conditions, in cells lacking basic sanitary standards and infested with bedbugs, leading to infection and skin problems. The statement further claimed that despite medical reports, the authorities were denying him access to medication and communication, and that there had been theft of personal funds and mockery of his lawyers.
Samidoun described the case as part of a broader international campaign to criminalise the Palestine solidarity movement, citing measures in the United States, Canada, Germany and Italy. It also criticised Greece’s political and military cooperation with Israel and called for Khatib’s immediate release.
The statement concluded with slogans including: ‘Freedom to all Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners in occupation prisons’ and ‘From the river to the sea, Palestine will be liberated.’
Support from other organisations
The Open Anti-Zionist Assembly also issued a statement condemning the arrest, detention and planned deportation of Khatib. It said he had been declared undesirable in Greece for ‘national security’ reasons and alleged that his travel documents, mobile phone and money had been confiscated.
The group reiterated claims about poor detention conditions and lack of access to medical care and legal rights. It described the case as an escalation by the Greek government against the Palestinian solidarity movement.
The ‘Electra Apostolou’ Popular Struggle Front likewise condemned what it described as Khatib’s illegal arrest and detention conditions, arguing that the measures were aimed at silencing solidarity with Palestine. It stated that the deprivation of communication with lawyers and supporters and delays in procedures constituted violations of fundamental freedoms.
The Workers’ Revolutionary Party (EEK) also condemned the arrest, claiming it was part of a broader alignment between the Greek government and Israel. It said Khatib had travelled to Crete to speak at a public event and that he was later described by the authorities as inadmissible in Greece for reasons of ‘national security’. According to the party, deportation proceedings are under way.
Statement from detention
In a message attributed to Khatib from the Heraklion detention centre, he thanked supporters for their solidarity and said his detention ‘has nothing to do with me, but with the Palestinian people’.
He stated that other detainees from countries including Sudan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and Egypt were also being held in poor conditions, some for more than three months. He described the situation as ‘psychological and physical torture’ and alleged systemic oppression.
‘I call on everyone to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed in the detention centre and in all the prisons of Greece,’ the statement read. ‘Just as Palestine must be free, so must all oppressed people, refugees and immigrants.’
______________________________________________
Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.
Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.