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 at that club, he never reported because he could not trust the authorities", 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", Mr 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".

Mr Zammit, a 20-year-old Maltese-Australian, died on Friday after his life-support machine was unplugged.

He had been 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 and on a Mykonos beach.

Greek media reported that on Tuesday, Mr 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.

Daniel Chamoun, a friend of Mr Zammit, 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," Mr 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 Mr Chamoun is urging everyone, especially the Maltese to sign it.

Oliver Zammit, Doujon's father, Mr Tabone and his father Hugh, and Doujon's uncle Joe, yesterday left Greece for Sydney where preparations for the funeral are under way.

On Tuesday Mr Zammit met the Greek Minister of Health, Dimitris Avramopoulos, who praised the Zammit family for the organ donations 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.

Maltese Ambassador in Greece, Richard Vella Laurenti said 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.

Zeake Zammit, the victim'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 with everything they have done to support 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.