After the fire in Moria: Teenage migrants sentenced to 10 years in prison despite no evidence
On Saturday, 12th June 2021, four teenagers were sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly having set Moria Camp on fire one year ago. Instead of charging those who create inhuman camps like Moria, the Moria 6 were made scapegoats for an EU completely rotten from inside.
The trial against the remaining four of the Moria 6 was neither transparent nor fair. It was no trial but a farce, a theatre play where the end was already decided: shifting the blame for a terrible catastrophe to six teenagers - kids - that had only come to seek a better life.
Neither the delegation of international trial observers from the Swiss association Juristes Démocrates de Suisse from the European Democratic Lawyers association, the observer from UNCHR nor journalists were allowed into the court, let alone any civilian observers. However, four police officers and at least two plainclothes officers were allowed in.
Despite having all necessary documents proving the age of three of the four as minors, the court rejected the lawyers' application to try them in a Juvenile Court under the Juvenile Criminal Code.
On top of this, several defense witnesses told of outward harrassment by the judge.
The only witness who provided individualised evidence did not appear. However, the prosecution was permitted to read out his written declaration, despite the lawyers’ objection that this violated the defendants' right to cross examine any witness against them, a fundamental right confirmed by the European Court of Human Rights.
They were convicted of arson with endangering human life and the aggravating circumcstance of property destruction. No mitigating circumstances were accepted. They were only acquitted of the carge of "taking part in a criminal organisation". The lawyers will appeal the decision.
More info:
- borderline-europe: After the Fire in Moria Camp: 70 organisations call for a fair and transparent trial for the accused Moria 6 based on the presumption of innocence!
- BBC: Moria migrant camp fire: Four Afghans sentenced to 10 years in jail: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57441291
- The Guardian: Moria fire: Greek court jails four Afghan asylum seekers for 10 years: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/13/moria-fire-greek-court-jails-four-afghan-asylum-seekers-for-10-years
- Are You Syrious: AYS Special: Serious doubts on rule of law after verdict against Moria6: https://medium.com/are-you-syrious/ays-special-serious-doubts-on-rule-of-law-after-verdict-against-moria6-49e000dd5915
- Tagesschau: Flüchtlingslager Moria: Jugendliche wegen Brandstiftung verurteilt: https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/europa/urteil-brandstiftung-moria-griechenland-101.html
Monday, 14th June 2021
