Rising violence among minors shakes Greece after stabbing incident

Popular Greek tourist destination Mykonos faces concerns about juvenile violence after a recent knife attack by a teenager in a public square injured three tourists, one seriously

In the Greek island Corfu, a trend of increasing violence among minors has raised alarms following a shocking incident in Saroko Square involving three students.

The event signals a disturbing shift in the island’s youth behavior, challenging the safety and serenity of this picturesque location.

A 17-year-old high school student attacked two teenagers and an adult with a knife in broad daylight on April 3. The adult, a 49-year-old Italian, tried to intervene in the fight but sustained injuries. Despite the presence of many bystanders, none stepped in to stop the fight.

Local journalist Christina Chondrogianni reveals an unsettling pattern: “From the start of the year, arranged fights among teenagers are on the rise, either in Saroko Square, the recent bloody altercation’s location, or even in more central areas like Anountsiata.” She also uncovers a worrying trend of minors seeking to buy knives, particularly during school trips.

With 30 years of experience in Corfu, educator Marina Rapti links this violence to broader societal issues. “In schools with high student numbers and lacking psychologists, we lose the close-knit community feel. We’re seeing an increase in violence partly because these large schools don’t foster close relationships,” Rapti explains.

Recognizing this pattern, the Greek police have launched a new initiative to prevent and handle juvenile delinquency and violence. Their efforts include increased surveillance and checks on minors, with substantial results: 40,638 checks and numerous detentions and arrests.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis plans to introduce measures to address this growing problem. These include an awareness campaign, a platform for reporting incidents, and tougher penalties for student offenders. A comprehensive National Plan, spearheaded by professor Vasso Artinopoulou, is expected to be rolled out in September.

Source: Newsroom