Mykonos attack on Maltese-Australian not the first of its kind

The attack on the Greek island of Mykonos that left Doujon Zammit dead after a three-day battle for life was not the first of its kind there.

"I lived in Mykonos for about six years and I know the owner of the bar where this incident happened. The bouncers have always treated people like crap for the smallest reason. Last year my brother was beaten by the bodyguards of that club, he never reported because he could not trust the authorities there", a reader told timesofmalta.com.

Fairfax newspapers in Australia reported that another serious attack in Mykonos took place in July last year when two Australian brothers who now live in London were attacked in "almost identical circumstances to the fatal bashing of Sydney backpacker Doujon Zammit".

Dan Heckendorf, 30, told the newspapers that he and his brother had an argument with a taxi driver about the fare. "All of a sudden at least 15 Greeks with baseball bats, batons and chains appeared out of nowhere", Heckendorf is quoted as saying. He was bashed so badly that, on return to London, he needed major surgery because his eye socket was smashed to pieces. His eye orbit had to be "reconfigured with three metal plates and 12 screws".

Doujon Zammit, a 20-year-old Maltese-Australian, died on Friday after his life-support machine was unplugged. He was bashed into a coma three days earlier. Together with his cousin Cameron Tabone, who suffered a broken nose and wrist in the attack, Doujon had travelled to Dubai, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Ibiza and Malta before heading for Greece. Memorial services have been held at Cecil Hills in Sydney's west and on a Mykonos beach.

Greek media reported that on Tuesday, Cameron Tabone gave evidence in the proceedings against the bouncers. His evidence led to the upgrade of the charges against three bouncers, who were released on bail. Although the three bouncers are still out on bail, a magistrate on the nearby island of Syros where the case is being heard, is expected to set dates for them to be questioned again. This could lead to the three bouncers to be remanded in custody. Meanwhile, the 25-year-old bouncer who worked at the Tropicana nightclub on Paradise beach and who was charged with Doujon's alleged murder, remains in custody.

Petition to name lake or park after Doujon

Daniel Chamoun, a friend of Doujon, told timesofmalta.com that a group of friends were pressing the Liverpool Council (of which Cecil Hills is a suburb) to name either the Cecil Hills lake or a park near where Doujon lived after the victim. "We still haven't had a reply," Chamoun said.

The Facebook page titled "Doujon Zammit - Only the good die young" (found at: http://www.new.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33476401110&ref=mf#/group.php?gid=33476401110&ref=share ) is being used as an online petition and Chamoun is urging everyone, especially the Maltese to sign it.

Doujon and Chamoun were friends for the past five years after they met while Chamoun was running by the lake and Doujon was walking his dog.

Oliver Zammit on his way to Sydney

Oliver Zammit, Doujon's father, Cameron and his father Hugh, and Oliver's only brother Joe, yesterday left Greece for Sydney where preparations for Doujon's funeral are under way. On Tuesday Mr Zammit met the Greek minister of Health, Dimitris Avramopoulos, who praised the Zammit family for the organ donation gesture and said that since Friday another two families had donated organs of their loved ones. During the meeting, Mr Zammit called for better medical care on the islands. "It's not always about money, it's about life," he told reporters after the meeting. Earlier on this week, Mr Zammit also met the Greek minister for Tourism Aris Spiliotopoulos.

Meanwhile, the president of the Hellenic Red Cross and Erricos Dinan Hospital have been authorised by the members of the administrative board of the hospital to give the name "Zammit Doujon" to the Intensive Care Unit in which Doujon himself was treated.

Dr Richard Vella Laurenti, Maltese Ambassador in Greece, said that the Zammit family would be invited to the unveiling of a commemorative plaque and would receive the "Golden Cross" of the Hellenic Red Cross for their kindness and their contribution to their ailing fellow men.

Doujon's brother's and father's words of thanks to the Maltese

Zeake Zammit, Doujon's younger brother, on Tuesday left a comment on timesofmalta.com thanking the Maltese for their support. "Please let everyone know in Malta how proud I am of the fact they had the chance to meet my brother and just with everything they have done in order of supporting the family. On behalf of the family we would just like to thank you all and we have understood how much he has touched your hearts."

Before leaving Greece, Mr Zammit thanked the Maltese Embassy staff in Greece for the help given to them. He also told Dr Vella Laurenti how much Doujon enjoyed his Malta trip. "Oliver was full of gratitude to all Maltese who have expressed so much sympathy and shown him so much support at this difficult moment for him and his family," Dr Vella Laurenti said.