The video below has been travelling all over the world since yesterday morning when a Greek MP violently attacked on Greek live TV two women politicians taking part in a political debate in George Papadakis' live show on Antena TV. I did not watch the show as I was at work at that time. While I was having my lunch break at home, I turned on the TV since this is the only time I can catch up with the news. This video had been playing on all Greek channels and already travelling abroad. Say that I was appalled at what I saw would be an understatement.
Mr Ilias Kasidiaris, 32, is a spokeaman of extreme right Golden Dawn party in Greece and a member of the Greek parliament for a few days till the elections of June 17. During the live talk show, he lashed out in response to comments from rival politician Rena Dourou of the Syriza party. After Ms Dourou made reference to a court case pending against him and said his party "will take the country back 500 years", Mr Kasidiaris leapt from his chair and threw a glass of water over her. Thank God, he only threw the water, not the glass!
When Communist party deputy Liana Kanelli stood up to condemn Mr Kasidiaris and threw a newspaper at him, the ex-special forces weightlifting enthusiast turned his rage on her. Mr Kasidiaris slapped Ms Kanelli around the face three times as she struggled to defend herself. Host Giorgos Papadakis ran across the set shouting, "No, No" as he attempted to intervene but was too slow to stop the attack.
Mr Kasidiaris has been one of the most vocal critics of claims that Golden Dawn is a violent organisation with a history of targeting Greece's immigrant populations. Golden Dawn - surprise winner of 7% of the vote in recent elections - said in a statement that Mr Kasidiaris had been provoked. It said: "If anybody wants us to condemn our colleague over this indeed unfortunate moment, they should first condemn Kanelli's attack and slandering."
Following the incident, Ilias Kasidiaris was locked in a room at the Antena studios in Athens but broke down a door and escaped, according to the TV show's host. An arrest warrant has been issued for Mr Kasidiaris as tensions ahead of the June 17 elections in Greece became explosive.
A public prosecutor ordered police to track him down and detain him on charges of causing serious bodily harm. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted but may be fined instead.
I firmly believe that violence never solves problems. And it is definitely not an argument! I won't discuss here the political dimensions of the incident. As most of you know, I'm not into politics. But no one has the right to violently attack any citizen in any country just because they disagree with them. At the same time, I am glad to see that this attitude, which reminds us of the cavemen, does not represent the Greek culture and civilization. Since the golden era of Pericles, the Greeks have proved that they prefer brains to brawn and, I'm sure, that they won't let this unfortunate incident change their beliefs.
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