Greece: Athens gay couple attacked by homophobic mob

Aug 25 2014
Written by Nick Duffy

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

A gay couple in Athens have been brutally assaulted by a homophobic mob.

According to the newspaper Kathimerini, the couple – who have not been named – were set upon in the Pangrati neighborhood, early on Saturday.

The victims say they were attacked by a group of 10 to 15 men, who had shaved heads and were wearing black t-shirts.

Both men suffered injuries following the attack, with one having to undergo surgery on his ankle.

Police are investigating the incident, which is the latest in a number of alleged homophobic incidents in the country this year.

Last month, George Kounanis and Harry Vassilakis were reportedly attacked in Athens by a group of police officers for holding hands.

In addition, the extreme far right party Golden Dawn picked up three seats in May’s European elections, netting 9.4% of the vote and becoming the third-largest party.

In January, gay rights activists in Piraeus used a kiss-in to protest against ultra-conservative Orthodox Christian Bishop Seraphim, who claims that homosexuality “is a unnatural aberration not even observed in animals”.