Greek church in Lesbos reportedly vandalized by refugeesMarch 4, 2020 - 11:40 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The church of Hagios Georgios (Saint George) in the Greek island of Lesbos was vandalized by unknown assailants on Monday, March 2, the Greek Reporter reveals. Some locals blame a group of migrants who live at the nearby camp for the act. They claim that when police prevented a march by hundreds of migrants demanding to be transferred to Athens, a group of around 20 went to the church and took their revenge by destroying the nave and the altar. Images also show that the assailants destroyed icons and furniture. Hagios Georgios has been vandalized several times in the recent past, local residents say. There have been no arrests for the latest attack. The situation on Lesbos remains tense as almost on a daily basis groups of migrants, angry with the appalling living conditions in the overcrowded Moria camp are clashing with police. The Moria refugee camp was originally intended to hold 3,000 people. As recently as last June there were 5,000 people there, according to Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the only major international NGO that has a presence there. In the last six months it has grown to be a shanty town of 19,000, 40 percent of whom are under 18. Around 13,000 of those are living in a filthy unofficial camp of tarpaulin tents and makeshift huts made of pallets, in an olive grove surrounding the main site. There is no electricity, not enough water and rivers of mud and rubbish run through the tents. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | U.S. believes peace is “possible” in South Caucasus The United States continues to believe that peace is possible in the South Caucasus, Vedant Patel said. Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. |