Tensions flare over protests at Greece’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

WorldPolitics
22 Oct 2025 • 6:00 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • Greece's conservative government has proposed an amendment to ban protests at the iconic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Athens.
  • The amendment, put forward by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, would allow visitors but prohibit demonstrations, with penalties including fines or imprisonment for violators.
  • Opposition parties have strongly criticised the proposal, deeming it unconstitutional and an attempt to curtail freedom of expression and protest.
  • The monument has been a focal point for public demonstrations, notably by relatives of the 57 victims of the February 2023 Tempi train crash, who have set up a makeshift memorial there.
  • While the government states the aim is to respect a sacred national monument, critics argue the move is a direct response to anti-government protests following the train disaster.

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