Parliament brawl brings felony charges independent MP

A far-right Greek lawmaker faces felony charges for punching a colleague during a rowdy debate in parliament.

An Athens prosecutor pressed the charges against Konstantinos Floros, an independent MP shortly after the violent altercation, unwitnessed in Greece’s national legislature

A former member of the far-right Spartans party, Mr. Floros was arrested shortly after the violent attack against Vassilis Grammenos, a member of the hard-right Greek Solution party. He remains in custody after being granted a short extension to answer to the assault charges.

If convicted, Mr. Floros faces up to 10 years in prison.

His attorney, Vaso Pantazi, said the incident was instigated by a “vulgar verbal attack” in Parliament by Mr. Grammenos, and she criticized the prosecutor for pressing the stiff charges, saying her client’s response was “justified.”

The brawl occurred when Mr. Floros, the son of a retired navy officer, was blocked from speaking at a debate on the lifting of the immunity of Greek Solution President Kyriakos Velopoulos. In response to Mr. Floros’ outburst, Mr. Grammenos reportedly told him to “shut up,” sparking the confrontation that quickly moved outside the plenary room.

Photographs from Greek media showed Mr. Floros placing Mr. Grammenos in a headlock and throwing him to the ground.

Mr. Grammenos was seen leaving Parliament with a broken nose and a splint on his arm. Greek political parties have blasted the violent incident, calling for swift legal action to defend democracy.

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