Knife attack on 32-year-old in Elefsina – Authorities investigate political motives
Three young men wounded a 32-year-old with a knife in Elefsina. Authorities are examining a possible connection to a far-right and anti-fascist clash in August.
Knife attack on 32-year-old in Elefsina – Political motives behind the assault
Police authorities are investigating political motives in connection with a knife attack against a 32-year-old that took place on Thursday afternoon, 8 July, in Elefsina. According to information reported by Dikastiko.gr, the three young men allegedly involved in the incident are known far-right activists in the area, while the victim is associated with the broader left-wing sphere.
The injured man is being treated out of danger at Tzaneio Hospital in Piraeus, with serious injuries to his legs.
The attack on Konstantinoupoleos Street
The incident occurred shortly after 16:00 on Konstantinoupoleos Street. Three young individuals, with their faces uncovered, approached the 32-year-old and, after threatening him, stabbed him at least twice in the thigh. The man collapsed, bleeding, on the pavement, whilst the perpetrators left the scene.
Initially, the incident was being examined as a possible attempted robbery, as there were reports that the perpetrators threatened the victim to steal his mobile phone. The statement of the injured man himself, however, redirected the investigation towards the possibility of politically motivated violence.
After the attack, the 32-year-old initially went to the Elefsina Health Centre. Due to the seriousness and depth of the injuries, it was deemed necessary to transfer him by ambulance from EKAB to Tzaneio Hospital in Piraeus, where he is being treated out of danger.
The connection to the August clash
A key point in the investigation is the possible connection of the incident to a clash that had occurred in August in Elefsina, between groups of far-right and anti-fascist activists. Following that clash, individuals from the anti-authoritarian sphere had posted details and photographs of people who, according to them, had participated in the attack against the anti-fascists on a website.
Authorities are investigating whether the publication of that material is connected to Thursday's attack.
"We are in charge here"
According to what the victim reportedly told police, the perpetrators explicitly stated that they attacked him because they believed he had posted the disputed photographs. One of them reportedly told him characteristically: "We are in charge here."
The 32-year-old, for his part, maintained that the perpetrators mistook him for another person, emphasising that he has no involvement either in the August clash or in the publication of the details. He reportedly also named the perpetrators, a matter that is being examined as part of the police investigation.
Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the attack, as well as its possible connection to the events in August.
Source: Dikastiko.gr