Greek MPs leave Zelensky session for including message from neo-Nazi Azov
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to the Greek Parliament, and includes a video message from the neo-Nazi Azov battalion, prompting MPs to walk out.
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Taken during Zelensky's speech to Greece's parliament
The Ukrainian President caused controversy in Greece by including a video message from members of the neo-Nazi Azov battalion in his speech to the Greek parliament.
This caused a walk-out by a number of Greek MPs who protested the move on Thursday.
Greek City Times reported that the Greek government's spokesperson said "Including a message from an Azov Battalion member was wrong and inappropriate." The appearance prompted MPs from SYRIZA, the main opposition party, to walk out of the session.
Βουλευτές που παρευρέθηκαν στο Ελληνικό Κοινοβούλιο χειροκρότησαν μαχητές Τάγματος Αζόφ που ήταν Έλληνες αλλά δεν μιλούσαν ελληνικά!
— ΒΑΓΙΑ ΛΑΜΠΡΟΥ (@vagialam) April 7, 2022
"Ελευθερία ή Θάνατος" αλλά αναφορά στην Κύπρο μηδέν!
Έλληνες της Μαριούπολης αλλά εξαφάνιση της Ελληνικής Μειονότητας δια νόμου!
ΠΟΣΗ ΝΤΡΟΠΗ.. pic.twitter.com/FvApwAi7C4
“The speech by members of the neo-Nazi Azov Battalion in the Greek Parliament is a challenge. They spoke of a history day, but it’s a historic shame. Solidarity with the Ukrainian people is a given. But the Nazi cannot have a say in parliament,” said SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras.
In the video, an Azov fighter who claimed to be Greek, but could not speak Greek, said in Ukrainian: "I am addressing you as a Greek." He then introduced himself, saying he was born in Mariupol and is fighting there.
The Azov Battalion is based in Mariupol, and had led a terror campaign against civilians there, including the city's 120,000 Greeks. Greek City Times also reported that the Ukrainian nationalist forces have "killed people for trying to leave the city."
Greece's SKAI news asked Mr. Kiouranas, a Greek who lives in Mariupol, if he was planning on leaving the city, to which he responded:
“How can I leave? When you try to leave you run the risk of running into a patrol of the Ukrainian fascists, the Azov Battalion," adding “They would kill me and are responsible for everything."
