Crete’s society faces another shocking incident of violence when in Rethymno, three young men were arrested following a brutal assault on a minor, whom they hurled into a glass storefront, causing him serious injury. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday (20/9), spreading shock and outrage throughout the local community. The three youths were arrested, however, they were released because no charges were filed.
Crete: The incident that froze Rethymno
The three perpetrators, aged 19 and 20, participated in a violent altercation involving punches and kicks. The climax of violence came when the minor was launched into the glass window of a store, requiring immediate transport to Rethymno hospital by EKAB ambulance.
The case extends beyond just the assault, as the case file also includes the name of a trainee police officer connected to investigations surrounding the so-called “Crete mafia”. Despite the arrests, the young men were ultimately released as none of the involved parties filed an official complaint.
The shadow of violence spreads
The violent incident in Rethymno is not isolated. The same week, Patras was shocked by another brutal beating among minors. On Eleftheriou Venizelou Street, three minors—two 15-year-olds and one 16-year-old— attacked a peer with unprecedented brutality. The 16-year-old suffered severe injuries, with a broken jaw and nose, leading to his transfer from Karamandaneio to Rio hospital and then to “Aglaia Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital in Athens for surgery. Patras Security proceeded with arrests not only of the minor perpetrators but also their parents, charged with neglect of minor supervision.
A troubling phenomenon
The successive incidents of violence in Crete, Patras and other cities highlight a harsh reality: violence among minors is increasing at an alarming rate. What was once considered a rare phenomenon now takes on worrying dimensions, leaving behind serious trauma and a society struggling to understand where boundaries were lost.
The video from Rethymno is not just another recorded incident; it serves as a stark reminder that the need for substantial interventions is more urgent than ever.
