A new political controversy has emerged in Greece after the New Left party filed a criminal complaint against Kyriakos Velopoulos, the leader of the far-right Greek Solution party, over his remarks regarding migrant vessels in the Aegean Sea. The incident dates back to an interview Velopoulos gave on June 10, 2026, on the Open television channel, where he was questioned about how Greece should handle boats carrying migrants and refugees. When asked whether such vessels should be sunk, Velopoulos reportedly responded with the phrase, “You sink it.” He repeated this statement later in the interview while expressing indifference toward the illegality of such an act.
The New Left party, led by Gabriel Sakellaridis, along with several of its MPs—Peti Perka, Thodoris Dritsas, Sia Anagnostopoulou, and Euclid Tsakalotos—submitted the formal complaint to the Athens Prosecutor's Office. They argue that Velopoulos' comments constitute incitement to violence under Greece’s anti-racism laws. Specifically, they reference Article 1 of Law 927/79, which was amended by Law 4285/2014. This legal framework prohibits actions based on racial or ethnic discrimination, particularly when such actions involve violence or threats against individuals due to their nationality or ethnicity.
According to the New Left, Velopoulos’ statements were not merely rhetorical but could have encouraged both public officials and private citizens to engage in violent acts against migrants and refugees. His suggestion to sink migrant vessels, even though illegal, was interpreted as a call to action that could lead to serious harm or death. The party emphasized that such rhetoric is particularly dangerous given the vulnerability of the individuals targeted—migrants and refugees who often arrive in Greece without proper documentation or support systems.
Despite the gravity of these remarks, the New Left claims that no legal action had been taken against Velopoulos in the weeks following the interview. This lack of response prompted the party to take matters into its own hands, filing the complaint to ensure that such inflammatory speech does not go unchecked. In a press release, the New Left stated that the move aims to set a clear boundary against hate speech and racist statements by far-right politicians. The party views this as part of a broader societal and political effort to combat the influence of extremist ideologies.
Velopoulos, as the head of the Greek Solution party, has long been associated with nationalist and anti-immigrant sentiments. His comments align with the broader platform of his party, which advocates for stricter immigration controls and a more assertive stance towards foreign nationals entering Greece. However, these views have frequently drawn criticism from opposition parties and civil rights organizations, who see them as promoting xenophobia and undermining social cohesion.
The submission of the complaint marks a significant moment in Greece’s ongoing debate over migration policy and the role of far-right politics in shaping public discourse. While the Greek government has historically maintained a balanced approach to managing migration flows, the rise of far-right voices has increasingly polarized public opinion. The New Left’s decision to pursue legal action highlights the growing concern among progressive forces about the normalization of discriminatory rhetoric in political circles.
As the case moves forward, it remains to be seen how the Athens Prosecutor's Office will respond to the allegations. If the complaint is accepted, it could lead to further investigations or even charges against Velopoulos. Regardless of the outcome, the incident underscores the deepening divide between Greece’s political factions and raises questions about the limits of free speech in a democratic society. The situation also reflects the broader European challenge of addressing rising nationalism and ensuring that political discourse remains inclusive and respectful of all communities.
3 reports
ekathimerini.comIndependentLeft4 days agoThe New Left party in Greece has filed a criminal complaint against Kyriakos Velopoulos, leader of the far-right Greek Solution party, for remarks he made regarding migrant boats in the Aegean Sea. During a televised interview, Velopoulos reportedly stated 'you sink it' when asked whether Greece should sink migrant vessels, which the New Left claims incites violence against migrants based on race and nationality. The complaint was submitted to the Athens Prosecutor’s Office by New Left leaders and lawmakers, citing Greece's anti-racism laws. The party emphasized that no prior legal action had been taken after the interview, and they view this as part of a larger effort to combat far-right rhetoric. The incident highlights ongoing tensions between leftist and far-right political groups in Greece concerning migration policies.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the actions of the New Left party as a response to far-right rhetoric, emphasizing the party's stance against racism and hate speech. The language used supports the perspective that the far-right's comments constitute incitement to violence, aligning with a left-leaning viewpoint.
Proto ThemaIndependentLeft4 days agoThe New Left party has filed a formal complaint against Kyriakos Velopoulos, president of the Greek Solution party, over his alleged racist remarks during an interview. The statement in question was made during a June 10, 2026, TV interview with Open TV, where Velopoulos was asked whether he would 'sink the boat' carrying migrants and refugees in the Aegean Sea. He reportedly answered affirmatively and showed indifference toward the illegality of such an act. The New Left argues that these comments constitute incitement to violence based on race and nationality, violating anti-racism laws. They claim that despite weeks passing since the incident, no judicial action had been taken against Velopoulos for his statements, prompting them to file the lawsuit to prevent further hate speech by far-right politicians.
Bias read (Left): The article frames the situation as a legal and moral issue involving racism and incitement to violence, emphasizing the actions of the New Left party in filing the complaint. It highlights the alleged racist nature of Velopoulos's remarks and positions the New Left as taking a stand against far右ist
KathimeriniIndependentLeft4 days agoThe New Left, a Greek leftist political party, has filed a formal complaint against Kyriakos Velopoulou, president of Elliniki Lisi (Greek Solution), alleging incitement to violence based on racist remarks he made during a televised interview. The complaint was submitted at the Athens Court of First Instance by Gabriel Sakellaridis, the party’s leader, along with three of its MPs—Petra Perka, Thodoris Dritsas, Sia Angelopoulos, and Euclidean Tsakalotos. The complaint references Velopoulou’s response to a question about whether he would ‘sink the boat’ carrying migrants and refugees across the Aegean Sea. He reportedly answered directly that he would, then repeated the statement later in the interview, showing indifference to the illegality of such actions. The complaint cites Article 1 of Law 927/79 (amended by Law 4285/2014) which defines incitement to violence. The New Left argues that Velopoulou’s comments encouraged state and private actors to commit criminal acts targeting individuals based on their ethnicity or nationality. The party claims that despite weeks passing since the remarks, no legal action had been taken against Velopoulou for his alleged racist and violent speech
Bias read (Left): The article frames the incident as a clear case of racist rhetoric that crosses into incitement to violence, aligning with the values and concerns of the left-wing New Left party. The emphasis is placed on the legality of the accusations and the need for accountability, suggesting a left-leaning sl抗
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