Greek authorities have launched an urgent investigation into the alleged beating and sexual assault of a 16-year-old Egyptian boy at the Malakasa migrant camp near Athens. The Supreme Court prosecutor initiated the inquiry following reports of abuse at the state-run refugee facility.
Police have arrested four suspects, also Egyptian nationals aged between 16 and 21, who were living at the camp. They face charges of sexual assault and causing serious physical harm.
Greek Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos condemned the incident, calling it “deeply abhorrent.” Deputy Migration Minister Sofia Voultepsi has announced a review of security measures in areas designated for unaccompanied minors at the camp.
Voultepsi highlighted the increasing number of unaccompanied minors arriving from Egypt, driven by human trafficking networks operating in Libya. These criminal groups reportedly exploit children from poor Egyptian villages, subjecting them to abuse and forcing them into criminal activities.
According to official figures, over half of the 2,588 unaccompanied minors currently registered in Greece are Egyptian. Greek law protects these children from deportation, adding complexity to the ongoing crisis.
This tragic incident sheds light on the vulnerabilities of migrant children in camps and the urgent need for stricter security and support systems.