Outrage over Greek court verdict for BD workers

A Greek court's decision to acquit local farmers responsible for shooting 28 Bangladeshi strawberry pickers has sparked outrage in the country, says the 'Guardian'.
Politicians, unionists and anti-racist groups have condemned the verdict as a 'black mark for justice' in a case that brought the spotlight on the appalling conditions migrant workers face in Greece.
"I feel shame as a Greek," said the victim's lawyer, Moisis Karabeyidis, after the tribunal in the western port city of Patras, delivered the shock ruling. "This decision is an outrage and a disgrace … the court showed an appalling attitude toward the victims."
Scores of migrants, many sobbing in disbelief, protested outside the court house after magistrates allowed two of the men, including the owner of the farm who had been accused of human trafficking, to walk free.
Two others, accused of aggravated assault and for possessing illegal firearms , were handed prison sentences -- one for 14 years and seven months and another for 8 years and seven months .
But both were also freed pending appeal.
The Bangladeshis were shot in April last year when they demanded to be remunerated for six months of unpaid work at a farm in Manolada in the southern Peloponnese.
Four of the strawberry pickers were badly injured in the attack.
At a time of unrivalled crisis in Greece, where living standards have deteriorated dramatically after six straight years of recession, the case had triggered widespread indignation.
Media investigations showed the migrants to be working in subhuman conditions without access to proper hygiene or basic sanitation.