Fundamentalist MP charged with misdemeanor for vandalizing artwork

Nikos Papadopoulos, a religious-fundamentalist lawmaker from the nationalist Niki party, has been released from custody after being held under guard at the National Gallery for vandalizing four artworks by Christophoros Katsadiotis.

Had the prosecutor classified the act as a felony, specifically, aggravated damage, parliamentary immunity would not have applied, and he would have faced formal arrest. However, his actions were deemed a misdemeanor involving minor property damage.

Earlier in the day, Papadopoulos damaged display cases and exhibits, which he described as blasphemous to Christianity. In a later statement, the MP claimed he had removed the paintings, but some “slipped” from his hands.

“I took down four sacrilegious images; two of them slipped from my hands as I turned, breaking their glass frames,” Papadopoulos said.

His lawyer later issued a statement arguing that his client had been unlawfully detained at the National Gallery.

The National Gallery released an official statement condemning the attack:

“The National Gallery–Alexandros Soutzos Museum was attacked by Niki MP Nikos Papadopoulos, who, with the assistance of another individual, vandalized four artworks by Christophoros Katsadiotis,” the statement read.

“We unequivocally condemn any act of vandalism, violence, and censorship that undermines the constitutionally protected freedom of artistic expression,” it concluded.

Kathimerini