The victim was a worker from Bangladesh and the alleged perpetrator is the 62-year-old owner of a catering business where he was employed. According to information from the OPEN broadcaster, the worker had decided to leave the island because of a financial dispute with his employer, who allegedly owed him wages. He was at the port of Patmos, waiting for his ferry, intending to move to another area to look for new work. He had been employed at the business since 1 May, when the premises opened for the season.
According to the same source, when the 62-year-old learned of his employee’s intention to leave the island, a violent incident ensued. Eyewitnesses report that the businessman attacked the worker, hitting him repeatedly, including with his helmet.
Police rushed to the scene after calls from citizens and bystanders who had witnessed the incident at the port. The injured worker initially received first aid but, given the severity of his injuries, an immediate evacuation was deemed necessary. He was airlifted by EKAB helicopter to the hospital in Rhodes with serious injuries; his condition during the flight was described as critical.
It is also reported that this is not the first time the authorities have been contacted over similar complaints involving the 62-year-old. The competent authorities are investigating the case and examining the circumstances in which the incident occurred.
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