ATHENS – The ruling New Democracy party is known for its stringent stance on immigration, yet it has nominated Spiros Richard Hagabimana, originally from Burundi, as a candidate on its ticket, aiming to secure Greece’s first black Member of Parliament.

According to a Reuters feature, eight years ago, Hagabimana served time in his home country for refusing to use force against anti-government demonstrators during his tenure as a senior officer in the National Police. The article explores how his connections to Greece eventually led him back to the country.

Hagabimana first arrived in Greece in 1991 on a scholarship to study at the Naval Academy. After graduating five years later, he sought asylum in Greece due to a military coup in Burundi.

He pursued a law degree and joined New Democracy’s youth wing under the Conservative party. In 2005, after the civil war in Burundi ended, he obtained Greek citizenship and returned to assist with peacekeeping efforts under the United Nations.

In 2015, while serving as a National Police officer in Burundi, widespread protests erupted. Hagabimana refused to open fire on demonstrators, fearing for his safety. Consequently, he was jailed and subjected to physical abuse.

During his time in jail, a lawyer friend in Athens initiated an international campaign for his release. With the assistance of Greek authorities, he returned to Athens in 2016. Since then, he has risen to become a senior official in the Migration Ministry.

While acknowledging that many refugees and migrants from sub-Saharan Africa attempt to reach Greece, Hagabimana emphasized that part of his role involves addressing racism. He believes that combating racism requires concrete actions, not just words. He stated, “Racism cannot be fought with words alone. Racism is fought with everyday actions. When someone is afraid of the unknown, we must provide them an opportunity to engage with what they fear.”

Another Black candidate, Nikodimos-Maina Kinyua, the Kenyan-born founder of ASANTE, a non-governmental organization that supports migrants, is running with the major opposition party, SYRIZA. However, his chances of success are considered to be lower.

The district where Hagabimana is running, which encompasses the economically disadvantaged town of Perama and the island of Salamina, located west of Athens, was previously a stronghold for the neo-Nazi, anti-immigrant Golden Dawn party in 2015. The party’s leaders and numerous members were imprisoned in 2020 after being convicted of operating a criminal organization, with one member found guilty of murdering an anti-Fascist hip-hop artist. This effectively put an end to their influence.

Hagabimana’s focus lies in promoting business opportunities for his party, which has successfully attracted foreign investors and facilitated an economic recovery amid the waning COVID-19 pandemic. However, he remains committed to his roots and aims to give back to inspire migrants, ensuring that they can become equal members of society. He aspires for them to surpass his achievements and strive for even greater accomplishments.