Basque man in critical condition in Greek hospital after being robbed in Santorini

by Lorraine Williamson
Basque man critical after Santorini attack

A 33-year-old man from Beasain (Guipuzcoa, Basque Country) has been admitted to a hospital in Athens in “critical condition” after being beaten on the Greek island of Santorini. 

The event is said to have taken place on Thursday. Allegedly, four youths aged 16, 18, 19 and 20 beat him in order to rob him, Greek media have reported. Furthermore, the four suspects in the aggressive attack have been arrested.  Meanwhile, the victim who was on holiday in Santorini, is in hospital in “critical condition” in Athens. 

In broad daylight, the four attackers allegedly wanted to rob the victim of his mobile phone and his wallet. He was attacked while walking alone on the street in Fira, the island’s capital. According to Diario Vasco, the suspects all have French nationality. Furthermore, one of them is a minor. 

Basque man critical

After a heated argument, the attackers began beating the Spanish victim with the intention of taking his belongings. He was seriously injured, with multiple injuries all over his body. Greek emergency services had to transfer him by ambulance to the Fira General Hospital on the island. From there he was transferred by plane to Athens. Consequently, he is currently in critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit. 

That same Thursday evening, the Greek police arrested the four alleged perpetrators of the brutal beating of the Basque. Using several closed camera shots near the robbery scene, they were able to locate the culprits. After they robbed and mistreated the Spaniard, they went back to their hotel, where they were arrested. 

Subsequently, the four were arrested on suspicion of committing a robbery with violence. At the time of their arrest, Greek police verified the individuals were in possession of €460 in cash. Furthermore, they also had three mobile phones and a bank credit card, possibly from one or more thefts committed. 

Cogesa Expats

The four, apparently tourists who were also on holiday for a few days at the same destination as the victim, were brought before the court of Naxos, the largest island of the Cyclades, located in the Aegean Sea. 

Holiday with friends 

The 33-year-old young man from Beasaindarra was on holiday in Greece for a week with two other friends. However, they were not with him at the time of the attack. They had first visited the capital Athens and had been on the island of Santorini since the beginning of the week. 

Diario Vasco reports that the friends had not received any news from their travel companion for 24 hours. Therefore, they went to the police station. There they heard what had happened. 

The victim’s parents have travelled to the capital of the Hellenic country to be with their son at these crucial moments. The mayor of Beasain, Leire Artola, is in contact with the family and has provided them with all the help they need in this difficult situation on behalf of the municipality. 

Also read: Madrid starts programme to tackle youth gang violence

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