Greek lawmaker expelled from European Parliament group over assault on journalist

By Derya Gulnaz Ozcan and Merve Berker

ATHENS/ Greece’s main opposition party, the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), announced Wednesday that it expelled Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nikos Pappas from the European Parliament group for assaulting a journalist.

“SYRIZA President Sokratis Famellos has removed SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas from the party’s EP group due to his unacceptable conduct,” it said in a statement.

It also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated to expel Pappas from the party entirely.

Pappas admitted in remarks published by Greek media that he physically assaulted a journalist in Strasbourg and expressed regret about his actions.