In September and October 2024, allegations, evidence, and public statements from prominent civil society and institutional actors were published concerning the alleged abuse and death of 37-year-old Pakistani migrant Mohamed Kamran inside the Agios Panteleimonas police station on 21 September 2024.
According to a statement by the Movement United Against Racism and the Fascist Threat (KEERFA) and the legal representative of the deceased’s family, Kamran had been missing since 13 September, with his relatives unable to reach him on either of his mobile phones. He was eventually found dead eight days later in the Agios Panteleimonas police station, bearing visible signs of severe abuse and physical violence on his body.
The death of Mohamed Kamran prompted a prosecutorial investigation, and the intervention of prominent human rights organisations.
The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR)—the independent advisory body to the state on human rights matters- released a statement underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding rights during detention, ensuring humane conditions in police holding facilities, and upholding the principles of thorough and effective investigation into incidents of state abuse, alongside the fair and timely administration of justice.
“Due to the particularly serious problems posed by the incidents that resulted in loss of human life in police stations (…), the GNHCR is highlighting the importance for the law enforcement Agencies and judicial Authorities to respond immediately, adequately and promptly to similar incidents, especially in cases where the individuals are under the control of the Authorities and in a situation of vulnerability, since being held under detention.” The statement goes on to note that given the frequency and nature of the reported incidents, two systemic concerns emerge: the conditions of detention and the State’s persistent failure to prevent instances of violence or loss of life involving individuals in custody. These patterns highlight a serious breakdown in the authorities’ duty to protect, especially when holding persons under their direct control. The repeated character of such incidents suggests the possible existence of a culture of impunity within State institutions.
On 27 September 2024, the Hellenic League for Human Rights (HLHR) issued a statement expressing deep concern over the disturbing images of the deceased in the Agios Panteleimonas police station, questioning whether such treatment reflects the standards of respect for fundamental rights within police custody. The organisation stressed that even from the content of the Hellenic Police’s initial statement on the incident, serious concerns arise, suggesting—at least prima facie—that the case exhibits several hallmarks of systemic unlawful practices identified in HLHR’s own study on police violence. These include vague justification for repeated detentions, denial of access to legal counsel, and internal disciplinary inquiries conducted by the same institution potentially implicated in the incident.
The death of an individual while under police custody imposes an elevated duty on the authorities to ensure that the circumstances are thoroughly clarified. In such cases, the burden of proof shifts to the State, which must demonstrate that no wrongdoing occurred. This obligation stems from the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, is consistently emphasised by the Greek Ombudsman, and aligns with the fundamental logic of a democratic society.
While the determination of criminal liability lies with the judiciary, it remains essential for the Hellenic Police to provide a convincing account of events and to hold those responsible accountable in proportion to their involvement. This is the only path toward restoring public trust, preventing a further breakdown in the relationship between the police and the community, and reaffirming the police’s core mission: to safeguard citizens’ rights.
On 27 September 2024, the Minister for Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, assigned the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mohamed Kamran to the Greek Ombudsman. According to the Ministry’s official statement, the case was referred to the Ombudsman in order to ensure a full and prompt clarification of the incident, within the framework of the national mechanism for investigating incidents of police misconduct, “so that no shadow of doubt remains.”
First Official Statement by the Hellenic Police on the Death of Mohamed Kamran
In its first public statement on 26 September 2024, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) described an incident that allegedly occurred during the detention of 37-year-old Pakistani migrant Mohamed Kamran at the Agios Panteleimonas police station. According to the statement, while in the bathroom area, Kamran began shouting in a language not understood by the officers, allegedly became aggressive, and forcibly detached the sink with his hands. The officers present reportedly restrained him, and an ambulance unit (EKAV), which had already been called, arrived shortly thereafter. Medical personnel determined that his injuries did not require hospitalisation. A case file was opened against Kamran, and he was arrested on charges of property damage, disruption of public service, disobedience, and refusal to provide fingerprints
Second Official Statement by the Hellenic Police on the Death of Mohamed Kamran
In a follow-up statement, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) reported that on the morning of Wednesday, 18 September 2024, Mohamed Kamran was brought before the competent Prosecutor on the basis of the case file compiled against him. He was tried under the expedited procedure and sentenced to 29 months’ imprisonment—of which four months were to be served, with a three-year suspension applied to the remaining 25 months—alongside a monetary fine.
Following sentencing, Kamran was returned to the Agios Panteleimonas police station pending his transfer to a correctional facility, in accordance with legal procedures. During his detention, a minor altercation reportedly occurred between Kamran and other detainees, prompting his relocation to a different holding area within the station.
In the early hours of Saturday, 21 September 2024, police officers found Kamran unresponsive. Emergency medical services (EKAV) were called and confirmed his death. The Prosecutor was immediately notified and ordered a preliminary investigation, which included witness statements and a forensic examination of the premises by the Criminal Investigations Directorate. The findings of the appointed medical examiner are still pending. Additionally, an internal disciplinary inquiry has been initiated through a Preliminary Administrative Examination.
Media Report Highlights Contradictions in Police Account of Kamran’s Death
Media reports have highlighted inconsistencies in the police narrative. As noted in a LiFO article published the same day, the police statement failed to address the allegations directly, instead focusing solely on events beginning on 18 September—the date of Kamran’s arrest and transfer to the Agios Panteleimonas police station—before abruptly skipping ahead to 21 September, the day he was found dead.
In the same article, the family’s legal representative, Maria Sfetsou, stated: “If Kamran had been allowed to make a phone call, he would have called me. They didn’t let him. If they had, things might have turned out differently”
Opposition Parties React to the Death of Mohamed Kamran
The death of Mohamed Kamran in the Agios Panteleimonas police station sparked strong reactions from opposition parties. In a public statement, SYRIZA noted that this was not the first time incidents of police misconduct and violence had been reported at precincts in the area. The party warned that such events undermine public trust in law enforcement and foster a sense of insecurity and impunity. It further stressed the need to investigate whether the alleged abuse of Kamran may have been racially motivated.
PASOK MP Pavlos Christidis also commented on the case, stating: “A man has died, apparently while in police custody. We must find out what happened and who is responsible. Any delay raises suspicion. We expect clear answers from all relevant authorities and the Greek judiciary.”
Katerina Geraki, representing the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), expressed deep concern over the case and reasserted the need for urgent investigation. MP Dimitris Tzanakopoulos of the New Left submitted a formal question to Parliament regarding the circumstances of Kamran’s death. He highlighted that a series of reports by official institutional bodies, as well as credible international and domestic civil society organisations, confirm that police violence against vulnerable individuals is not an isolated occurrence, but rather a systematic practice that persists under a regime of impunity.
In a state governed by the rule of law, the actions and operations of police authorities must be guided by key principles, including legality, proportionality, the prohibition of abuse of power, and the respect and protection of human rights. The responsibilities and conduct of police officers are regulated, among others, by Presidential Decrees 538/1989, 141/1991, and 254/2004. Furthermore, Article 7(2) of the Greek Constitution explicitly prohibits torture, bodily harm, and any form of degrading treatment or violation of human dignity.
While the police may, under specific conditions, resort to the use of force to uphold the law and protect human rights, this does not render all forms of preventive or repressive violence lawful. On the contrary, arbitrary or excessive use of force constitutes a serious threat to democratic governance.
In light of the above, it must be underlined that the conduct of the police authorities in the present case raises serious concerns regarding a potential breach of the legal limits governing police action. This concern is further heightened by the fact that the death of Mohamed Kamran occurred within the premises of the Agios Panteleimonas police station—an area under the direct control and authority of the Hellenic Police—and must therefore be subject to investigation by the competent oversight bodies and the judiciary.
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