Strong criticism and reactions drew the gesture of Athens city council’s newly elected member Nikos Michaloliakos, to salute in Nazi style during a heated debate at a council session.
Mayor Giorgos Kaminis and the city council were debating a canceled concert in the Agios Panteleimon district due to clashes between far-rights and the police. Michaloliakos, a far-right himself, said: “The residents did not want the concert to take place” adding: “Good night. Rejoice the Pakistanis and Bangladeshis that you naturalized to Greeks and they voted for you”.
Subsequently another council member leftist, called Michaloliakos, “Fascist!” and the latter replied by raising his hand into a Nazi salute.
Mayor Kaminis reacted strongly, saying that “A Nazi salute is unacceptable here”.
Nikos Michaloliakos has close links to far-rights group Chrysi Avgi (Golden Dawn) that initiates violent attacks against immigrants in Athens. The group staged a violent anti-immigrant demonstration over the weekend in the Agios Panteleimon district where many immigrants live. The same group had disturbed Muslim immigrants performing openly the Eid al Adha prayer, last November in Athens.
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