Greece wrestles with rise in hate crime

Greece's politicians and press are agonising over a wave of attacks on immigrants, and what to do about it.

Justice Minister Antonis Roupakiotis threatened tougher punishment for ethnic crimes, with sentences of over three years in jail for those who attack migrant workers.

The public order ministry also said it would no longer provide police guards for MPs from the far-right Golden Dawn party, which is seen by many as a key factor contributing to the climate of xenophobia in Greece.

The party, which won 18 seats in parliament in June, blame some of the country's economic problems on illegal immigration.

Hate attacks
Earlier, Javied Aslam, the head of the Migrant Workers' Association in Greece and leader of the Greek Pakistani community, said hundreds had been injured in racially motivated attacks. Read More