On January 17, 2013, a 27-year-old migrant from Pakistan was cycling through the Petralona district of Athens to go to work. During his ride, he was attacked by two Greek men on a motorcycle who stabbed him repeatedly, resulting in his death. According to witnesses, the attack was unprovoked. As it was revealed later, the two perpetrators were linked to the far-right extremist group Golden Dawn. He was Shahzad Luqman, a Pakistani immigrant who had been living in Greece for six years prior to his death. Being the eldest of nine siblings, he worked at the local markets to earn a living and send money home to support his family. He had obtained the “pink card”, which allowed him temporary legal residency in Greece, the ability to work legally, and a shred of security in Greece.
Traditionally, Greece has been a passage from migrants and asylum seekers from South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. They arrive either to seek a better economic future for themselves or to flee conflicts in their home countries. However, they often face significant socio-economic challenges despite the legal framework that has been created to protect them. This different treatment is clearly evident in this case.
In 2014 the Mixed Jury Court of Athens found both perpetrators guilty of murder and sentenced them to life imprisonment. What made this case important was that the court recognized for the first time the racial motivation behind the attack and applied Article 79 paragraph 3 of the Greek Penal Code. According to it, crimes committed out of hatred caused by the victim’s different external characteristics, religion, national and ethnic origin, allow harsher penalties. The court emphasized that the crime was not just an act of violence, but a hate crime. It was a ruling that set a significant legal precedent in Greece, reinforcing the recognition of hate crimes under the law.
A significant consequence that followed his murder, was the establishment of the Racist Violence Response Department and the activation of the five-digit hotline 11414 to record complaints regarding violence against immigrants.
In the same year, Greece passed law 4285/2014 to adapt to the directives of the European Union and anti-racism laws. That law was a critical step, as it introduced stricter penalties for hate crimes and broadened their definition by recognizing racial, religious, and ethnic motives as aggravating factors. At that moment Greece also faced a rising wave of far-right extremism. So, the law aimed to address these threats while fostering a more inclusive environment for vulnerable communities. Since then, further legal advancements have been made to reduce racial discrimination, including stronger protection for migrants and establishing special units within law enforcement to investigate these attacks. The case of Shahzad Luqman became a symbol of the fight against racially motivated violence in the country. Its great significance lies in the fact that it highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal measures against hate crimes and exposed the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities. Besides that, it underscored the dangers of far-right extremism, which fueled a climate of xenophobia. The Luqman case served as an important turning point for hate crimes that led to better legal protection of vulnerable groups in Greece. Despite the legal advancements, racial discrimination continues to affect many immigrants while challenges concerning racial violence remain a reality. Given the ongoing difficulties, it is crucial to ask: What more can be done to address the persistence of hate crimes in Greece and ensure stronger enforcement of anti-racism laws.
Article by Iliana
