Mitsotakis Amendment: Protests at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under threat of fines and prison

Conservative government of Greece amended the law to ban protests at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – a cult monument near the parliament building in Athenswhere demonstrators traditionally gather.

Amendment proposed government of Kyriakos Mitsotakiscaused fierce debate in parliament. Four opposition parties opposed, saying that the initiative contrary to the Constitution and violates right to freedom of expression and protest. Center-Left Party “Syriza” called on citizens to take to the streets to protest the decision.

The square in front of the monument became a symbol of public protest after Tempe train accidentwhich occurred in February 2023. Then a freight and passenger train, traveling towards each other, collided on the same track, claiming lives 57 peoplemostly students returning to university after the holidays.

Near the monument was created makeshift memorial with the names of the victims written in red paint on the ground. There were candles burning and flowers lying there. This is where they passed mass actions relatives of the victims demanding an investigation into the tragedy and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

As the media note, the father of one of the victims – Panos Routsis — spent 23 day fast near this site, seeking the exhumation of his son’s body and new toxicology tests. Judicial authorities gave permission for the exhumation in early October.

Amendment and consequences

According to the new bill, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier admits national monumentwhere only official ceremonies, wreath laying and tourist visits. Any rallies or physical changes to the area will be prohibited. Violators face fine or up to one year in prison.

The government claims that the purpose of the amendment is not to restrict public freedoms, but “strengthen respect for the sacred monument” This was stated by government spokesman Pavlos Marinakisemphasizing that the place should maintain a solemn and non-political character.

However opposition sees this step as an attempt drown out public discontent after the disaster in Tempi And anti-government protestswhich shook the country all last year. Critics also point out that authorities have yet to prosecute high-ranking officials and did not disclose all information about the accident, including assumptions about transportation undeclared chemicalswhich caused a gigantic explosion.

Trial of 36 defendants the investigation into the disaster is about to begin in March 2026. In the meantime, the government insists: the memorial should be a place of memory, not protest.

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