Death of Nigerian man in Greece sparks protest about “state of terror” for migrants

On 18 August 2007, Tony Onouha, a Nigerian immigrant in his twenties living in Greece, tragically lost his life in the Thessaloniki suburb of Kalamaria after falling from a balcony. It is believed he was being chased by undercover plain clothed police who were attempting to apprehend him for selling pirated CDs. Human rights activists have accused the police of chasing Tony to his death.

His death sparked two days of protests in the Thessaloniki area which involved police firing tear gas into angry crowds of African migrants. Tony’s brother, James told reporters "He [Tony] told the men 'leave me, leave me, leave me' and then he fell. They had told him before 'police stop'.” No one has been charged in connection with the incident.

"The death of the young Nigerian reminds all of us of the hardships Greeks had to endure only a few decades back to make a living as migrants," said Panagiotis Psomaidis, Thessaloniki's regional council leader. Greece's Communist Party said Tony’s death only served to highlight "the state of terror under which the financial migrants must live".

Ahmet Moavi, president of the Greek immigrants’ forum said “the Nigerian community have come together to protest this tragic death of Tony Onouha, it is the first time that an immigrant community in Greece reacts with such dynamism, and that is going to continue because the attitude of the police is unacceptable”.