Greek conservative lawmaker, George Koumoutsakos, suffered facial bruises but did not need to be hospitalized after being beaten by suspected far-right activists during a protest on Thursday. The attack was the result of a gathering of protestors in a rally fiercely condemning comments made by Education Minister Nikos Filis that did not recognize the Pontic Genocide as a genocide per se in accordance with the official line voted through by Greek Parliament.

The New Democracy MP who payed the price of Filis’ comments had served as a former diplomat and ex-foreign ministry spokesman in the past. In Parliament, he said the act against him was a “fascist” act and he called for arrests to be made, especially in light of the fact that the faces of the people who attacked him were not covered.

One of the people in the video has already been identified. Alternate Citizens’ Protection Minister Nikos Toskas told the state broadcaster, ERT, that the man in the photos is a “sports trainer” affiliated with the ultranationalist Golden Dawn party whereas the others who appeared to be beating Koumoutsakos are also being investigated.

Ilias Zagoraios ordered a preliminary examination for the attack against Koumoutsakos.

In a Tweet on Friday, the attacked deputy wrote:
“I demand the democratic state to arrest the perpetrators of yesterday’s fascist attack.”

The matter was discussed in Greek Parliament on Thursday, with Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili unequivocally condemning the attack. She said the attack was due to the difficult climate created by “those who traditionally flirt with the extreme right” while she pointed to a post by ND MP Adonis Georgiadis who said that Pontic Greeks will “demand the head of Filis on a platter”

On his part, Parliamentary Speaker Nikos Voutsis expressed his “unequivocal condemnation” of the attack against Koumoutsakos. He said it was perpetrated by “extremist elements that use nationalistic, racist and intolerant speech as a cover, even for violence against members of Greek Parliament.”

The stand of the Greek police force is being questioned. It is a matter of concern that no arrests were made and that the police gathered at the time did not immediately rush in to protect the MP once bottles started being hurled.

Koumoutsakos found refuge once he managed to enter Greek Parliament with his face bruised, glasses broken and blazer torn to shreds. Speaking to reporters, he pointed to the ultranationalist Golden Dawn party. He said that while being attacked he was asked: “Why are you keeping Filis? The pig? What did you do for him to resign?” they asked. “You’re all the same. You made Greece a colony!”