On the Greek island of Lesbos, opposition to refugees and migrants has grown stronger in recent years. Hotel owner Stratos Kaniamos received an entire community when he considered receiving asylum seekers at his hotel. And suddenly one evening last summer, his hotel was on fire.
– My staff called me at midnight one evening in July and said that the hotel was on fire. Someone had set it on fire, says Stratos Kaniamos.
His hotel is located in the northern part of Lesbos, far from the southeastern part where the majority of asylum seekers are located. This year, the corona pandemic completely ruined the season, and Stratos considered accepting an offer to receive asylum seekers at its facility, for a fee and for a limited time.
He felt that he could make an effort, and at the same time avoid firing his employees. But rumors of his plans spread quickly and the reaction became strong.
The attitude towards refugees and migrants have changed radically on Lesbos since 2015, when many here were significantly more positive. In the village of Stratos, opposition to receiving migrants is now well-founded, and not only there, but also in other parts of Lesbos, it has recently become violent when plans to open new refugee camps have been announced.
Suddenly began masking moped riders with sticks in their hands drive past the hotel in the evenings. He received anonymous threats, and in the village everyone turned their backs on him.
– When I went to buy coffee, they did not want to serve me, they did not even appeal to me. It was like I was leprosy, says Stratos Kaniamos.
The situation escalated and ended with a fire attack on Stratos hotel which suffered major damage. He also had his car vandalized. Stratos shows photos and videos of the vandalism, and screenshots of Facebook conversations where everything is organized.
Everything has been handed over to the police, who are investigating a number of suspects in the attack.