Millet Newspaper fined €10,000 in defamation case filed by Metropolitan

The case stems from statements made by the Metropolitan of Dedeağaç, Anthimos, following the European Parliament elections, which Millet Newspaper covered in a news report.

After a hearing on April 2, 2025, the One-Judge Civil Court of Dedeğaç issued its decision on July 18, 2025, which was officially served to the newspaper on September 3. The court partially upheld Metropolitan Anthimos’ claim for €30,000 in moral damages.

The court ruled that the Turkish-subtitled video published by the newspaper included commentary that did not reflect the truth, misled the public, and violated the plaintiff’s personal rights. Accordingly, Millet Newspaper was ordered to pay €3,000 immediately, with interest calculated from the date the lawsuit was served, bringing the total moral damages to €10,000.

In addition, the court mandated that a summary of the ruling be published in the newspaper within 15 days of notification. Failure to comply will result in a daily fine of €200. Court costs of €500 were also awarded to the plaintiff.

Case Background

Following the elections, Metropolitan Anthimos released a video criticizing the FEP Party’s success, achieved largely through votes from the Turkish minority, questioning Greece’s integration policies and framing FEP’s performance as a national threat. Millet Newspaper reported on Anthimos’ statements with Turkish subtitles under the headline: “From the Metropolitan of Dedeağaç to the Turkish Minority: Our Perspective Must Change.”

Anthimos sent a formal warning to the newspaper on July 24, 2024, and received their response on August 6. Unsatisfied with the reply, he filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper and its associates on September 12, 2024, citing the dissemination of false news and damage to his personal reputation.