Greece: Greek refugee lawyer targeted by police

November 27, 2016

A Greek lawyer standing up for the rights of vulnerable groups such as refugees has found herself at the receiving end of police hostility. Omaira Gill reports from Athens.

On the afternoon of Sept. 27, 2016, several Syrian refugees aged between 13 to 16 were on their way to a cultural center to take part in a theatrical performance about their lives in Syria, carrying plastic toy guns as part of their costumes.

What happens next is disputed by Greek police. A police bike unit allegedly intercepted the children and took them into police custody at Omonia police station on suspicion of being members of an armed group. Two other Syrian refugees with them, aged 24 and 21, were also taken into custody.

An activist began to highlight what was happening on Facebook, and human rights lawyer Electra Koutra was invited to become involved by assisting the parents and children in their reporting of what happened.

According to a statement on her own Facebook page, she said that the children were ill-treated by the police, separated from the adults, humiliated and forced to strip. When the youngest, aged 13, objected in tears to removing his underwear, he was thrown against a wall. They were forbidden from contacting their family members to let them know what was happening.

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http://www.dw.com/en/greek-refugee-lawyer-targeted-by-police/a-36518504

http://english.capital.gr/News.asp?id=2424329

Tagged: Greece