Four young Afghans face trial over catastrophic migrant camp fire in Lesbos

·

UPDATE: The four Afghan asylum-seekers were sentenced to 10 years in prison in Greece.

Four young Afghan asylum seekers were tried in Greece on Friday on charges of starting the devastating fires that burned down Europe’s largest migrant camp last year.

Moria camp on the Aegean island of Lesbos housed more than 10,000 people before being destroyed by two fires in September 2020.

The four Afghans, who are on trial on the neighbouring island of Chios, are charged with arson causing risk to human life and belonging to a criminal group.

Migrants flee from the Moria refugee camp during a second fire, on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Greece, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. Photo: AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris.

A legal source told AFP the four could face up to 15 years in prison if found guilty on both counts. No media were allowed to enter the courtroom due to coronavirus precautions.

Two other young Afghans were jailed in a prison near Athens for five years for the same case in March.

Defense lawyers for Afghans appearing on Friday argued that their clients had not received a fair trial.

READ MORE: Two Afghan youths sentenced to five years jail for causing catastrophic Moria fire

They say three of them had documents showing they were under 18 at the time of their arrest, but were not recognized as minors by the Greek state.

The trial is based largely on the testimony of another Afghan asylum seeker who identified the six as the perpetrators.

Defense lawyers said the witness was not in court on Friday and did not appear at trial last March because he could not be located.

Stand by Me Lesvos, a refugee advocacy group, said the whole camp was on fire [Manolis Lagoutaris/AFP]

The defendants say they were targeted by the witness, a Pashtun ethnic group, as all six are Hazaras, a minority long persecuted in Afghanistan.

The other prosecution witnesses are police officers, firefighters called to the scene in September 2020 and staff from the European Asylum Service and non-governmental groups working in the camp.

The EU has allocated 276 million euros ($ 336 million) to build a new permanent camp on Lesvos and for similar facilities on the islands of Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros.

Source: AFP

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin threatens legal action over octopus dispute

The Kalymnian Brotherhood of Darwin is threatening legal action against the NT Government following a food safety dispute over octopus.

Meet the Greek sisters behind Adora: A 30-year legacy of handmade chocolate and heart

If you’re looking for a new spot in Sydney to satisfy your sweet cravings, Adora Handmade Chocolates is the place to be.

Young artists shine in ‘First Light’ exhibition at opening of That Art Place in Carlton

More than 65 young artists from the St George area in Sydney had their creative moment in the spotlight on Saturday, July 12.

Peter Tsolakides leads Australia’s first cryonics facility amid scientific doubts

Peter Tsolakides, founder of Southern Cryonics, is leading Australia's venture into cryonic preservation with a facility near Holbrook, NSW.

Kazzi Beach Greek owner Peter Papas criticises proposed RBA surcharge ban

Sydney restaurateur Peter Papas has raised concerns over the Reserve Bank of Australia’s proposal to ban credit and debit card surcharges.

You May Also Like

Greek shipowner and industrialist, Constantinos Angelopoulos, dies aged 76

Greek industrialist and shipowner, Constantinos Angelopoulos, died in Athens on Monday at the age of seventy-six.

Modest turnout as Melbourne Greeks honour anniversary of the Athens Polytechnic Uprising 

Schools across Greece commemorated the 51st anniversary of the Polytechnic Uprising with fervour as they learned.

Statue of Hercules discovered in Philippi of Northern Greece

At the ancient location of Philippi in northern Greece, a magnificent statue of Hercules dating back to Roman times was found.