Pictures: Ethnos
On Friday evening members of Golden Dawn broke the windows of a shop and caused damage to others, which resulted in police intervention and usage of tear gas. 12 suspects of involvement in these events were brought in for questioning and police will remain in the area. One immigrant was stabbed on Agios Meletios Street and is in hospital out of danger. Groups of immigrants gathered at various places in order to make a stand against the threats. It was mainly stores of immigrants which were the aim of the attacks on Friday night. Residents of the area staged a protest against crime and against the wounding of the Greek barber at 9 p.m., but they had not expected such attacks. As they themselves pointed out, crime in the neighbourhood of Agios Pandeleimonas has increased dramatically and residents live in fear of being robbed. In addition, residents of the neighbourhood do not dare to come out of their homes and they don't feel safe even with alarms and security doors.
Yesterday's events were a continuation of Thursday night's events, when the area around the Square of Agios Pandeleimonas became a battleground once again. Residents of the area have asked for more police officers. Despite the strong police presence, however, no one was arrested or even questioned. According to unconfirmed information, immigrants, who were passing through the area, were a catalyst for a part of the people who have gathered there.
It all started on Wednesday at noon, when an unknown man entered the barbershop of a 40 year old Greek in Mikhail Voda Street. According to witnesses, the man was an African. Perhaps in order to rob him, the criminal stabbed the barbershop owner in the throat and the chest then disappeared. The wounded man is in hospital, out of danger. Residents of the neighbourhood responded to the new criminal act in their district and held a protest meeting that evening at 7.30 p.m. in front of the barber shop. About 50 people gathered to protest against the lack of police presence. Members of Golden Dawn also joined those assembled there. According to eyewitnesses, deputies Elias Panayotaros, Kostas Barbarousis and Nikos Mijas were also there. In a statement, however, the party said that it condemns any act of violence, and that its members are not involved in such activities.
Protesters wanted to go in the direction of the police station of Agios Pandeleimonas, but they weren't allowed. Around 10.30 p.m. some of the attendees started throwing stones at shops of immigrants. According to police sources, immigrants crossing the neighbourhood were attacked throughout the night.
Time Magazine published a comprehensive report about Golden Dawn. All Nazi and racist views, expressed by the party's representatives, as well as the daily attacks on immigrants are painted in the darkest colours. Statements by deputy Stathis Boukouras are also cited, in which he told a reporter of the magazine that there is a spiritual, national and racial inequality between people, and that Asians and Africans pollute the Greek race.