Three Men Acquitted of Racially Motivated Arson Charges in Greece

A decision by the Three-member Court of Criminal Appeals of Thrace has sparked outrage in Greece.

The court freed three men who were on trial for allegedly locking 13 refugees and immigrants in a transport trailer during the devastating fires in Evros last September. The men were also accused of filming the incident and falsely labelling the refugees as arsonists.

Following a two-day hearing, the court converted the original charge of robbery with racist motives to illegal detention, a misdemeanour offence. This decision aligns with the defence's arguments. The court determined the act lacked racist intent and acquitted the men of additional misdemeanours, including exposure, incitement to violence, and illegal weapons possession.

Despite downgrading the charges, the court imposed a combined five-year prison sentence on each defendant. The man who filmed the incriminating video received an additional three months for violating personal data laws.

"The court accepted our argument regarding the correct legal characterization of the act," stated a defence attorney. "They reclassified the charge to a misdemeanour (illegal detention) and agreed there weren't racist elements involved. Additionally, they acquitted the men of several unfounded accusations, such as illegal weapons possession, unnecessary shootings, racially motivated exposure, and incitement to violence."

The court converted the prison sentence into a daily fine (approximately €10) and granted a suspension until the Court of Appeal reviews the case. The three men had been in temporary detention since September.