Conflict between tourists and farmers in Crete goes to court
More than a year after a road altercation on the island of Crete escalated into a heated conflict involving two local farmers and a family of German tourists the case is set to re-enter the spotlight as the trial commences at the Hania Mixed Jury Court on Monday.
The driver of the pickup is facing a slew of charges, including repeatedly and intentionally attempting to commit serious bodily harm, reckless driving that endangered others, illegal possession of a knife, and making threats. His co-passenger is charged with repeatedly attempting to commit simple bodily harm.
In January, a Rethymno prosecutor suggested there were racial elements in the actions of the Cretan farmers.
However, the council of misdemeanor judges in Rethymno ruled the nationality of the victims did not play a decisive role and the same actions would have occurred even if the victims had been Greek. In addition to the trial scheduled for Monday, a parallel proceeding related to the same case is slated for November 24, 2024, at the Three-Member Misdemeanor Court of Rethymno.
In this case, three of the German tourists face charges of inflicting simple bodily harm.
According to the case file, on August 19, 2022 the driver of the Toyota Hilux chased the rented Toyota Corolla and repeatedly rammed it from behind.
CCTV footage from the town of Perama shows the pickup overtaking the rental car carrying a father and his two sons and daughter and then striking it while driving in reverse.
