Racist attack on Turkish child in Greek city Komotini sparks outrage

A disturbing video showing a Turkish child being harassed by a far-right group in Greece‘s city of Komotini (Gumulcine) has sparked nationwide condemnation and renewed calls for action against extremist groups.

The footage, widely circulated on social media, shows a 10-year-old Turkish child cornered by a group of individuals who pressured him to chant slogans in support of Ilias Kasidiaris, the former spokesman of the now-banned far-right Golden Dawn party.

Kasidiaris refuses connection about the racist attack that targeted Turkish child

Ilias Kasidiaris announced social media platform X and said, “Regarding a despicable video circulating on the internet, in which malicious and unknown individuals use my name maliciously and behave in a despicable and unseemly manner to the detriment of a minor, I have from the very beginning instructed my lawyer to take legal action to defend my honor and reputation.”

The attackers are seen laughing and shouting at the visibly frightened child before ordering him to run away. The video was reportedly shared two months ago by an Instagram account named “Komotini Nationalists,” though the exact date of the incident remains unclear.

Greece’s Supreme Court prosecutor Georgia Adeilini, has reportedly ordered prosecutors in the northeastern city of Komotini to investigate video footage that shows a young boy being forced to say “Long live Kasidiaris” while being taunted by youths.

Widespread condemnation from Turkish minority representatives

The attack has triggered strong reactions from representatives of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, with community leaders urging Greek authorities to investigate the incident thoroughly and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Sibel Mustafaoglu, a prominent representative of the Western Thrace Turkish community, expressed outrage over the incident. “Komotini is once again in the headlines for the wrong reasons. This video is a clear example of bullying and intimidation. No child—Turkish, Greek, or otherwise—deserves such treatment. I urge authorities to act swiftly to ensure those responsible face justice,” she said.

European Western Thrace Turkish Federation responds

The European Western Thrace Turkish Federation (ABTTF) also issued a strong statement condemning the attack.

Halit Habipoglu, President of ABTTF, said: “We strongly condemn this vile, racist attack on a defenseless child. This incident demonstrates that despite the ban on Golden Dawn, racist threats against our community persist. Authorities must take immediate action to prevent far-right ideology from taking root in our region.”

Habipoglu emphasized the importance of preserving peace and coexistence in Western Thrace, calling on Greek authorities to address the rise of extremist activity decisively.

Golden Dawn’s legacy lingers despite ban

Golden Dawn, once one of Greece’s most prominent far-right parties, was declared a criminal organization in 2020 by a Greek court.

Its leaders, including Ilias Kasidiaris and Nikos Michaloliakos, received prison sentences for leading and participating in a criminal organization.

Despite the party’s official ban, remnants of its ideology appear to persist in certain parts of Greece, particularly in regions with ethnic and cultural diversity, such as Western Thrace.

Analysts have warned of increasing far-right activity in northern Greece, particularly in regions like Komotini and Alexandroupoli, where nationalist sentiments have occasionally flared into acts of violence.

Recently, the Turkish Consulate in Thessaloniki was attacked with molotov cocktails, as this attack happens quite regularly.

For now, the Western Thrace Turkish community awaits concrete steps from Greek authorities to ensure accountability and prevent further incidents.