Attack on immigrants by local residents & neo-Nazis after stabbing murder of a 30 year-old Greek

Alert DateMay 22, 2012 Country: Greece Address: Patras General Type: Racist violence Racism and discrimination phenomena: Anti-migrant/xenophobia
Groups affected / Interested in: Migrants Key socio-economic/institutional areas: Daily life

Related Alerts

Victims Data
Victims Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Victims Gender N/A
Victims Age N/A
Victims Number N/A
Fatalities - deaths N/A
Perpetrators Data
Perpetrators Nationality/Ethnic Origin N/A
Perpetrator Gender N/A
Perpetrator Age N/A
Perpetrators Number N/A
Extremist/Organised Group Violence No

The murder of Thanassis Lazanas, a 30 year-old Greek who was reportedly stabbed by 3 Afghan immigrants 3 Afghan migrants in Patras in the early morning of 19.05.2012, ignited protests of local residents against irregular immigrants, that were infiltrated by members of the neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn resulting in violent incidents [1 & 2].

According to the police investigation, the 3 migrants had a quarrel with the 30 year-old when they passed out from his house. The 30 year-old followed the 3 migrants and fought with them again. According to the police, the 3 immigrants stabbed the 30 year-old at least six times and abandoned him [3]. The police arrested a 17 year-old Afghan immigrant who denied the accusations [4].

Following the death of Thanassis Lazanas, local residents peacefully protested out of the deserted factory of Piraiki Patraiki, where irregular immigrants had found shelter, demanding the removal of irregular immigrants from the area. The peaceful demonstration evolved into a clash involving local residents, the riot police, and neo-Nazis, when the members of the neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avgi) tried to enter the deserted factory throwing stones, firecrackers and many other objects at the police which repelled them using tear-gas [5 & 6].

Sources:

  1. The Guardian, 23.05.2012, Golden Dawn in clash with Greek police at anti-immigrant protest, http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/may/23/golden-dawn-supporters-clash-greek-police, Accessed on 24.05.2012.
  2. The Telegraph, 23.05.2012, Greek police clash with anti-immigrant mob, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/greece/9283943/Greek-police-clash-with-anti-immigrant-mob.html, Accessed on 24.05.2012.
  3. Newsit, 21.05.2012, Πάτρα: Έπιασαν 17χρονο Αφγανό για το φόνο του 30χρονου! (Patras: 17 year-old Afghan was arrested for the murder of the 30 year-old!), http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=141018&catid=6, Accessed on 22.05.2012.
  4. News it, 25.05.2012, Πάτρα: ''Δεν έχω καμία σχέση με τη δολοφονία του Αθ.Λαζανά''! (Patras: "I have no relation with the murder of Ath, Lazanas"!), http://www.newsit.gr/default.php?pname=Article&art_id=141833&catid=6, Accessed on 25.05.2012.
  5. To Vima, 23.05.2012, Πάτρα: νέα συγκέντρωση το απόγευμα της Πέμπτης (Patras: New gathering on Thursday evening), http://www.tovima.gr/society/article/?aid=458977, Accessed on 23.05.2012.
  6. SigmaLive, 23.05.2012, Επίθεση εναντίον μεταναστών μετά τη δολοφονία του 30χρονου (Attack against immigrants after the murder of 30 year-old), http://www.sigmalive.com/news/greece/492093, Accessed on 23.05.2012.