In total, 92 persons were recorded, whom we met at the shacks they live in. They were all targeted in the shooting attack. Of these, 35 were injured with four taken to hospital in Pyrgos and two to the hospital of Rio, in Patras.
During the four days visit the delegation also met with the local officials.
As stated by the victims:
• According to their agreement with the employer they were hired to work for €22 for a 7 hour day, 7 days a week. The deal also included free food. But in reality, the victims claim that they worked 10 to 11 hours a day with a 3 hour break in the afternoon. During this afternoon break they ate. The employer hasn’t paid them a cent for six months. They have also stated that they have been living in groups, in wooden shacks without running water, heating or toilets.
• The victims also claim that the foremen who shot them used shotguns and they fired directly at them as ascertained in the forensic report that was drawn up, while just one of the foremen was firing in the air. The incident took place on the third day of the workers’ protest when they expressed their intention to go on a strike.
• At our meeting with the Public Prosecutor of Amaliada, we were briefed on the indictment, according to which, prosecution relates mainly to human trafficking and repeated attempted murder. It should be noted that prosecution was ordered only for the 35 injured and not for all those who are victims of trafficking and they were present at the place of the shooting incident.
• With regard to whether there was racial motivation in the incident, Prosecutor said that this only can be addressed during the trial. It is also worth noting that the initial brief, which was drawn up at TA police station of Amaliada, was for repeated attempted murder by complicity. It was only after the intervention of the Supreme Court Prosecutor that the Public Prosecutor ordered charges relating to human trafficking.
• Based on the legal framework in force, as ascertained by the Racist Violence Recording Network, there is a legal deficiency that does not allow prosecution for the racist crime as such, since the relevant provision of Penal Code does not allow Police or Prosecutors to examine racial motivation at the phase of prosecution. This may only be raised after the evidence procedure is completed, when the sentence is to be hand down, that is, after the guilt of the defendant has been determined.
• In addition, at the Police Station of the nearby town of Varda, we were told that last year, 90 inspections have been carried out for: violations of working and health regulations; the working conditions; and the illegal employment of undocumented migrants in the strawberry plantations.
• From the facts, it is quite obvious that all the above mentioned immigrant workers live in exploitative conditions and are victims of human trafficking. As for the fact that only 35 were hit by bullets is incidental and means the others were simply «lucky» not to have been injured.
Médecins du Monde and the Greek Council for Refugees will stand by these people and will offer legal, medical and social support to anyone who needs it.