Khalis Miah, originally from Chhatak Upazila in Sunamganj, Bangladesh, was in custody following his arrest in the Omonia area for allegedly damaging a police car. On October 1, 2024, he was found hanging in his cell, where he was being held with 11 other detainees. 

The Greek police have reported the death to the prosecutor in Athens, and investigators, including a medical examiner, have visited the scene.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Athens told InfoMigrants on October 7, "We are treating this as not a typical death, for now."

Embassy officials said that further details would be revealed as an investigation is conducted. 

Nahida Rahman Sumona, the newly-appointed ambassador of Bangladesh in Athens, expressed her sorrow over the incident, saying, "This is hard to accept in a country like Greece. The authorities have not officially informed us yet, but we have asked for details." 

She also mentioned that the embassy has contacted Khalis Miah’s family, and if they agree, a lawyer will be appointed to seek justice.

The incident comes just weeks after the death of a Pakistani migrant, Mohammad Kamran, in the Agios Panteleimon police station. His death also prompted calls for a detailed investigation from the Greek judiciary. 

The recent deaths have brought attention to accusations of police abuse in Greece, with activists claiming that punishments for such misconduct are often too lenient.

Petros Constantino, the director of the rights group KEERFA, spoke to InfoMigrants about the recent migrant deaths. 

He said, "Migrants and asylum seekers are facing repeated police violence in Greece. Khalis Miah died only an hour and a half after his arrest. We believe his death was caused by violence."

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Constantino questioned the police's claim that Khalis was arrested for damaging a car mirror, asking, "Does a broken car mirror justify the loss of a migrant's life?"

On Monday (October 7), a United Nations human rights delegation visited the detention center to investigate the situation. Constantino welcomed their visit and called for urgent reforms, stating, "Racism has crossed the red line in Greece. This needs to change."

The Agios Panteleimon police station in Athens has faced criticism in the past, including accusations of ties to the far-right group Golden Dawn.

Several organisations, including the Bangladesh Community in Greece, Bangladesh Probashi Odhikar Parishad, and KEERFA, have organised a protest at Victoria Square in Athens, followed by a peaceful march to the Agios Panteleimon police station on 12th October, calling for justice for Khalis Miah and Mohammad Kamran.