Prejudice hits the young

A look at two cases of violence against immigrant children

By Elena Karanatsi - Kathimerini

Two tragic events involving schoolchildren over this past year have held up a mirror to the rest of the country, showing a reflection that has shocked and frightened many.

The disappearance and suspected death of 11-year-old Alex Meshivili in the town of Veria and subsequent allegations of criminal involvement on the part of five of his peers, followed some months later by allegations of the gang rape of a 16-year-old Bulgarian girl on the island of Evia have raised questions about hitherto unsuspected levels of violence among children.

Almost a year after the disappearance of Alex on February 3, no trace of the child has been found. The investigation is continuing, led by Thessaloniki special magistrate Michalakis Georgiou. So far, 384 depositions have been taken as police continue to search the area around Veria. The authorities are convinced of the involvement of five other children, but cannot determine the circumstances surrounding his death, nor the whereabouts of his body or the degree to which adults were involved. According to sources, the investigation is focusing on relatives of the two Greek pupils alleged to be involved.

The five children have been charged with willful manslaughter and defiling human remains; their parents have been charged with neglecting minors.

Also ongoing is the investigation into the alleged rape of the 16-year-old girl in the village of Amarynthos in Evia. Statements have been taken from the victim and her alleged assailants, eyewitnesses and local residents. The Education Ministry has also ordered an investigation. The four youths charged have been freed on bail; charges have also been pressed against three girls, classmates of the victim, who allegedly watched the rape and recorded it on their video cell phones.

From the outset, President Karolos Papoulias declared his support for the girl and her mother, but there were many, particularly some of the girl’s fellow villagers, who were quick to condemn her.

The common denominator in both these tragic cases was the fact that the victims in each case were immigrants – Alex was from Georgia and the Amarynthos teenager hailed from Bulgaria. Both students had done well at school and had provoked the envy of their schoolmates and other locals.

Another common factor has been the media’s voracious appetite for sordid details. According to surveys, the media’s treatment of the cases has led to an increase in violent incidents among children and teenagers.

Meanwhile the stance taken by some parents and teachers has been disappointing, while social services and the education system have also come up short.