Racist violence emergency in Crete
Related Case Studies
In Crete and in particular in Chania, a number of serious racist incidents, some of which very violent (impaled Albanian migrant), were unofficially recorded and widely reported in the media. Perpetrators were organised far-right violent groups. Immigrants, Jews and natives supporting migrants have been targeted victims of such attacks. An arson attack against Jewish synagogue-monuments caused the prompt reaction of the political actors in condemning anti-semitism and police investigated thoroughly the case.
It goes noted that in the city of Crete there is one of the most active movement of the support and integration of migrants, mainly composed by secondary school teachers.
Incidents list
- (05.01.2010): Two American citizens attempted an arson attack on the Jewish synagogue in Chania, Crete. The outer wooden stairs and a part of the library's books were burnt. The first-instance judicial council of Chania (Crete) decided on August 6th, 2010 to release the 5 suspects on the two arson attacks due to lack of evidence.
- (16.01.2010): Two British nightclub waiters two American citizens and a Greek citizen committed an arson attack on the Jewish synagogue Etz Hayyim in Chania, Crete. The fire destroyed a big part of the synagogue's archive, cds, 4 computers, tapes with Jewish music. This arson attack along with the one on January 5th have destroyed 2500 rare books and manuscripts. The first-instance judicial council of Chania (Crete) decided on August 6th, 2010 to release the 5 suspects on the two arson attacks due to lack of evidence.
- (13.02.2010): Far right extremists attacked a group of Moroccan migrants in Kalybes (Chania, Crete).
- (24.02.2010): Extremist attacked a native teacher who supports migrants by giving Greek language lessons to immigrants. The offenders tried to carve two swastikas on the victim's left arm.
- (27.02.2010): Far right extremists arsoned a Pakistani migrant's car.
- (28.02.2010): Far right extremists attacked a foreign guardian. The offenders beat and tried to arson the victim. The perpetrator drove in the quarry, threatened the victim with a wooden stick and finally set fire on the guardian's facility. Then the perpetrator set fire to the victim's motorcycle and left the place with his car. The car, that belonged to a third-country national, was found burnt the next day.
- (02.04.2010): Unknown persons arsoned with an explosive mechanism a place of worship of the muslim community in Iraklio, Crete.
- (26.04.2010): A 35-old immigrant was seriously harmed by unknown persons who impaled him with a broomstick. Pieces of the broomstick were found in his thorax.
- (25.05.2010): 8 Extremists attacked a migrants' house by throwing a Molotov cocktail on the front door causing material damages.
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