Police have apprehended Pandelis Kazakos, a security guard at the state-owned television company, and Apostolos Apostolou, a sailor, and charged them with the murders. Kazakos reportedly told the Athens Daily Ta Nea, "I do not regret what I did. I believe that I offered a service to the homeland. The foreigners have gone too far."

"He walked up to a group who were just returning from work in the downtown area and asked them were they were from," said Abu Ali, president of the Kurdish Refugees from Iraqi Kurdistan. "When they responded, 'We are Kurds,' he opened fire and simply walked away." Abu Ali, who was one of the organizers of the march, continued, "The police and press have presented this as the act of an isolated mad man. This is not true, this was an organized act. Kazakos is a known supporter of the fascist group Chrysi Avgi [Golden Dawn]."

The demonstration was called on three days' notice and drew immigrants from many countries. One of the largest contingents was about 200 people Nigeria. A few hundred Kurds participated, and banners indicated marchers originally from Bangladesh, Albania, and elsewhere. Contingents from Greek antiracist organizations and parties were also present. Notably absent was the Communist Party of Greece.

"No more shootings, no more killings!"; "No to the phony legalization, we want real legalization!"; and "Equality for all!" were among the spirited chants. Riot police blocked the march from reaching the steps of parliament. This was seen as an act of provocation by many demonstrators, who chanted slogans against the cops.

Placing the blame on government policies, Samsideen Iddrisu president of the Greek Branch of the European Union's Immigrant Forum and an organizer of the protest, stated, "The police organize the sweeps. They board the buses to take those who are not Greeks."

David Fazlul, president of the Bangladeshi Cultural Association and also a march organizer, told the Militant, "They have arrested someone. But this character took his direction from the government. It is the government that organizes the mass arrests and deportations of immigrants. It is the government and mass media that blame us for crime. So, these men decided to take things into their own hands. One day such men will become a problem for their own society. Yes, they must be prosecuted and kept in jail, but the government must also stop its anti-immigrant policies."

In a victory for those fighting for the rights of immigrants Fazlul was released from prison on August 25 while pending trial. He had been arrested on frame-up charges more than a month earlier.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home