At dawn on December 5, 2022, Kostas Fragoulis, a minor who was ethnically Roma, fled a petrol station in Thessaloniki without paying for fuel worth 20 euros. The petrol station alerted the police, who immediately came to the scene and gave chase.
According to the press release issued by the Hellenic Police, the young driver under pursuit ignored their instructions to stop. Traveling at high speeds, he failed to stop at a number of traffic lights and was driving very dangerously. He reportedly attempted to ram a police officer on a motorbike, putting the lives of police officers in immediate danger, and again ignoring their orders. In view of the immediate danger, the police officers used a gun, firing two shots, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, crash into a wall and be taken to the hospital.
The 16-year-old underwent lengthy surgery to remove a bullet from his head and was in critical condition in the intensive care unit for 11 days, until on 13/12/2022 he lost his battle for life. Protests and unrest in the Roma community followed, as well as demonstrations condemning police arbitrariness and impunity. The policeman who allegedly shot at the 16-year-old was arrested, prosecuted for attempted manslaughter, and eventually conditionally released. (see 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
The phenomenon of excessive police violence and arbitrariness is referred to in this report as a long-standing problem, as well as the demonstration or tolerance of racist behavior towards vulnerable groups, such as the Roma. Moreover, a recent report from the European Union’s Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA) finds that a large percentage of Roma face systematic social exclusion because of their ethnic origin (see also 1, 2).
The 2021 death of Nikos Sampanis, another young Roma who was killed in similar circumstances, should also be noted here. Following a chase, policemen indiscriminately fired 36 bullets into the vehicle he was riding in. Social exclusion combined with “xenophobic and racist attitudes” may have contributed to the killings of both young Roma men.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the actions of the police authorities must be governed by certain principles, including the principle of legality, the principle of proportionality, the prohibition of abuse of police power, and the respect for and protection of human rights, without discrimination on the basis of ethnic/racial origin.
The powers of the police authorities and the conduct to be displayed in the exercise of their duties are regulated, inter alia, by Decree 141/1991 and Decree 254/2004.
The case of Kostas Fragoulis, like that of Nikos Sampanis, raises issues around the disproportionate (excessive) use of armed force by the police, as well as possible racist motivation (see Article 82 A of the Criminal Code) based on the ethnic origin of the (Roma) victims.
Arbitrary and excessive police violence are reprehensible phenomena in a democracy and must be dealt with, as well as racial profiling.
Concerns around the rule of law are heightened when such phenomena are observed systematically.
Bank Account number: 1100 0232 0016 560
IBAN: GR56 0140 1100 1100 0232 0016 560
BIC: CRBAGRAA
In a time where the very foundations of democracy are gradually being eroded by the rise of extreme nationalism, alt-right movements, the spread of disinformation and corporate capture, the efforts of organisations such as Vouliwatch are more relevant than ever.
We rely on the generosity of each and every one of you to continue with our efforts for more transparency and accounta
By financially supporting Vouliwatch you support our litigation strategy, our campaigns for transparency and accountability in the political system, the development of new civic tech tools, our research projects and last but not least our impartial and accurate
