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One arrested and four wanted for the attack on a New Democracy MP

07 November 2015 / 16:11:54  GRReporter
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Yesterday, the Greek police carried out an investigation aimed at finding the attackers of New Democracy MP Georgios Koumoutsakos. He was assaulted on Thursday afternoon near the monument of the unknown soldier. The police found five people had been involved in the attack, and they have already been identified. On Thursday night, citizens' protection deputy minister Nikos Toskas said four people had been identified. A man was arrested yesterday afternoon who can be seen in the video of the incident.

 

The police has already established the identity of the other perpetrators, with a woman among them, and is now after them. The hunt is concentrated in Menidi, Western Attica, as two of the participants in the assault live in this area. Reportedly, two of them have a criminal record, belong to the extreme right and are blamed for attacks against immigrants.

 

Earlier yesterday, 20 suspected for involvement in the incident were brought in to Attica's Police Directorate. They were interrogated, but then all were released, as no proof had been found of their participation in the attack. A Golden Dawn activist, known under the nickname 'the gymnast', was among them. Back in 2014, he ran for councillor in Athens. Although police believe to have recognized him on the video, the gymnast presented an alibi and was released without being charged.

 

Yesterday, sources from the police and the citizens protection ministry made it clear that pressure is being exerted on the friendly circle of a Menidi suspect aimed at convincing him to turn himself in.

 

The prosecutors have also intervend. The head of Athens prosecution, Ilias Zagoreos, has ordered an immediate investigation into the assault and identification of both its perpetrators and instigators.

 

The investigation is urgent because of the gravity of the case. Koumoutsakos himself has also lodged a claim with the prosecution insisting on an investigation to find the perpetrators. The New Democracy MP launched a vitriolic attack on Golden Dawn and urged the government to take responsibility for the protection of human rights and citizens' security in practical terms rather than by making well-sounding pronouncements.

 

"Golden Dawn and those who represent it are the front men of darkness, violence, and harassment. They hit on freedom in an attempt to kill democracy. And they won't stop unless we all stop them, i.e. the majority of Greeks and the democratic parties," Koumoutsakos said. Addressing the government, he argued: "The immediate arrest of the perpetrators is a matter of honour for democracy." The MP emphasised that, like most Greeks, he would always be against violence, intolerance, and stupidity.

 

The same investigation will probe into another assault on a New Democracy MP. Miltiadis Varvitsiotis was attacked on Thursday in Syntagma Square, where Pontic organisations held a rally triggered by the statement of education minister Nikos Phyllis on the genocide against Pontic Greeks.

 

Tags: Georgios Koumoutsakos New Democracy assault investigation arrested Golden Dawn
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