25th August 1898

The climate within Heraklion grew highly volatile, as rural Muslims who had sought refuge in the town sought to vent their anger and frustration on the Christians. Goaded by the appointment of Stylianos Michail Alexiou as the first Christian director of the Revenue Service, on 25^th August 1898, as the new clerks were on their way to start work in the town customs house, incensed Bashibazuks (Muslim irregulars) attacked them and the British detachment escorting them.

Rioting rapidly spread throughout the town. Shops and houses were pillaged and buildings were torched, particularly in the area then known as Vezir Çarşı, the modern-day 25^th August Street. Among the dozens of Christians who fell victim to the rampage were British Vice-Consul Lysimachos Kalokairinos and 17 British soldiers. In a lighting reaction to the events, the Great Powers ordered the immediate execution of 17 Muslims as ringleaders of the riots.