Seven arrested by Greek police for suspected attacks on migrants

·

Greek police arrested seven people and were searching for another two on suspicion of planning or carrying out attacks on migrants on the island of Lesvos, authorities said Friday.

Police said five Greeks and two foreigners between the ages of 17 and 24 were arrested Thursday night outside the Moria migrant camp, the largest camp for asylum-seekers in the Greek islands.

Authorities confiscated several homemade wooden bats, a metal rod and a full-face hood. Two minors, one Greek and one foreigner, were being sought as additional suspected participants.

More than 19,400 asylum-seekers live in and around Moria, a camp designed to hold just over 2,800 people. The massive overcrowding and dire conditions have led to increasing tension on the island, both among locals and the camp’s residents.

Asylum-seekers have staged demonstrations to demand transfers to mainland Greece. Island residents have held protests and a strike to press the same demand for the removal of migrants.

Under a 2016 deal between the European Union and Turkey, refugees and migrants who arrive on Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast are held there, pending deportation back to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece.

Long delays in the asylum application process has led to major overcrowding in the camps. Greece’s 7-month-old government has vowed to speed up the handling of asylum requests and to increase the number of deportations to reduce the number of people living in the camps.

Sourced by: AP News

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

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

Advertisement

Latest News

From Brunswick to Greece: One family’s wartime story of survival, sacrifice and memory

I was 11 years of age when I watched my grandfather, Teddy Dorian, stumble away from the kitchen table on route to the bungalow. 

Sydney teen Mary Palogiannidis to represent Australia at Deaflympics in Japan

With less than 20 days to go until the Deaflympics kick off in Tokyo, Sydney teen Mary Palogiannidis is preparing to don the green and gold.

Con Paffas celebrates as Waverley Council to replace trees blocking Dover Heights views

Con Paffas welcomes Waverley Council’s decision to replace the towering trees that had long blocked the area’s prized ocean-to-harbour views.

Archbishop Makarios leads global dialogue on euthanasia at 3rd Bioethics Conference in Crete

The 3rd Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate opened on Friday, October 24, in Rethymno, Crete.

Oakleigh Grammar celebrates the Class of 2025 at Year 12 Farewell Assembly

The Oakleigh Grammar community united to celebrate the Class of 2025 in a day filled with reflection, gratitude, and heartfelt celebration.

You May Also Like

Vaccination pop up clinic at All Saints Grammar gym in Belmore to reopen

The vaccination hub at the gym of All Saints Grammar in Belmore will remain open from next Monday, 11 until next Friday, 15.

Koraly Dimitriadis’ poetry film ‘Yiayia Mou’ shortlisted for Digital Literary Award

Koraly Dimitriadis's poetry film, Yiayia mou (my grandmother) has been shortlisted for the prestigious Woollahra Digital Literary Awards.

Former teacher Chris Frangos avoids jail after sending explicit texts to posing officer

Christopher Frangos, a former school teacher, has avoided a full jail sentence after pleading guilty to sending explicit media.