Disoriented migrants stare at a fatigued camera on the ground in the back of an SUV, the man in military-style trousers displaying them as trophies. A frightened voice shouts, “Four more! See them? It’s lunchtime and there’s no police here.” This is the content of the latest video to circulate on social networks, shocking observers across Greece as a new wave of racism is discussed. Accusations against migrants are now also tied to the devastating fires blazing in the northern regions.
Lefteris Papayannakis, director of a Greek research institute on refugees, describes the situation as the result of a mix of long-standing tensions and contemporary provocations. He notes that militia activity in Greece is nothing new; what has changed is visibility. They used to operate covertly, now they act openly, which signals a sense of power. The observer argues that these militias may be colluding with authorities to channel public anger and frustration, a response intensified by the fires and their damage.
This recent pattern of attack and xenophobic propaganda appears to have emerged about two weeks earlier, coinciding with the fires in the northeast. The region near Evros borders and parts of Türkiye have a history of irregular crossings. The fires described as among Europe’s most destructive have scorched tens of thousands of hectares, and the danger remained active as reported by authorities and observers.
#Greece A far-right leader, dressed in military attire, allegedly orders a mob to carry out a pogrom, fueling racist flames and fascist sentiment. This claim circulated widely on social platforms in the days following, illustrating how quickly incendiary rhetoric can spread.
In those days, manipulated images and videos of migrants blamed for the fire circulated across networks. Some media outlets repeated the misinformation, prompting corrections after investigations by reputable agencies. One television channel, for example, had to retract claims that two migrants caused a nearby fire. Reports that twenty migrants were detained were denied by the police, leaving confusion in their wake.
The problem also drew political fuel. Anti-immigrant rhetoric from some figures, including representatives from major parties, amplified fear. One regional politician argued that many incidents occur along mountain roads leading toward crossing points, suggesting migrants move in large groups. He claimed that this was a tactic used to overwhelm authorities and complicate firefighting efforts on the ground.
Critics also pointed to the stance of the national immigration minister, who faced scrutiny for not publicly denouncing civilian militias that directly harass migrants. The refusal to condemn such actions was seen as signaling tacit approval of vigilantism on the ground.
Amnesty International issued a strong condemnation of the escalation, calling out the racist rhetoric that fuels violence against migrants and refugees. The organization cited a parliamentary figure who linked fires to migrant presence on social media, underscoring how online platforms can magnify harmful narratives. The reporting also noted that deaths in the fires included migrants, adding gravity to the real human cost of the violence, and bringing attention to a disturbing video in which a man brags about hunting down migrants and shows them detained in a vehicle. The man was subsequently arrested along with associates, including a non-native resident, amid investigations by judicial authorities. The recordings capture a plan to mobilize against migrants and a fear that the mountainous regions are swarming with them. NGOs warned that migrants might seek new routes to avoid hostile crowds and that such fear could expose vulnerable groups to greater danger during ongoing fires.
Regional observers describe the scene as one where far-right factions attempt to smuggle migrants in caravans during fires and call for lynching, a chilling tactic that underscores the climate of hostility. Public discourse in the Evros region, especially in the days surrounding August, highlighted how nationalist rhetoric can spill into real-world threats against vulnerable populations. Social and legal backlash followed as journalists and human rights advocates pressed for accountability and accurate reporting.
Journalists on the ground indicate that early warnings about radical militias were met with accusations of unpatriotic sentiment, a response that highlighted the personal costs of covering volatile stories. The broader political narrative at the time involved calls for vigilance, with some leaders arguing that migrants could impede firefighting work, and framing calls for precaution in a way that stoked collective fear. In this charged environment, questions about the balance between security and civil rights remained at the forefront.
As the public discourse intensified, observers stressed the danger of letting fear justify harassment or exclusion of migrants. The situation in Greece highlighted the fragility of democratic norms when xenophobic sentiment intersects with national emergencies. Civil society groups urged media outlets to verify claims before broadcasting them and to avoid sensationalism that could inflame tensions. The events also raised concerns about the safety of those who have sought refuge and the responsibilities of political leadership to model calm, evidence-based responses during crises.
In summary, authorities and independent observers alike point to a dangerous mix of fear, misinformation, and organized far-right activity that seeks to instrumentalize refugees for political gain. The fires have become a backdrop for a broader struggle over who belongs and who is blamed. The response requires careful reportage, accountability from public figures, and steadfast protection for vulnerable communities in the face of intimidation and violence.