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

What will it take to save Greek language in Australia?

Italian Greeks first proposed the creation of International Greek Language Day on February 9to celebrate the rich history of the Greek language.

Biracial families keeping Greek culture and language alive for the next generation

One recurring question when discussing Australia’s Hellenic community is how the next generation will be affected. Will they hold onto the language?

Professor Giorgos Babiniotis: ‘The Greek language is not a tool; it is a value system’

International Greek Language Day, celebrated annually on February 9, pays homage to the influence of the Greek language on human civilisation.

An ode to the Greek language by a teacher’s daughter

My mother, the teacher, always reminded me when we left Istanbul, where I was born, to come to Australia, for the sake of our language.

Niki Louca shares her favourite recipe for Lime Pistachio Cake

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for lime pistachio cake with The Greek Herald. 

You May Also Like

Greek PM and US Senators discuss East Med, Middle East and Afghanistan

Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, held a meeting with US Senators, Chris Murphy and Jon Ossoff, on Monday.

Tiffany Trump wears black one-piece swimsuit in Mykonos days after partying with Lindsay Lohan

Tiffany Trump continues to live the sweet trust fund life this summer, continuing her prolonged European holiday on the beach in Mykonos. The first daughter,...

Maria Sakkari takes first win at Australian Open

The Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari has secured her first win in this year’s Australian Open women’s singles competition.