GD deputy attacks police officer

Barbarousis and friends beat officer over traffic violation in Aetoloacarnania

Golden Dawn deputy Constantinos Barbarousis has been implicated, along with a relative and at least three other men, in a violent beating of a police officer at a coffee shop in the village of Fiteies in the region of Aetoloacarnania in central Greece yesterday.

According to reports, the incident followed an altercation between one of the extreme-right lawmaker’s relatives and the officer over a traffic violation earlier in the day.

The policeman was off duty when he was attacked by his assailants, who, according to witnesses, pulled up outside the cafe in two cars, with Barbarousis and four other men inside. All five barged into the shop and attacked the victim using clubs, brass knuckles and bats.

The officer suffered head injuries and required stitches, while his brother and a friend, who were also present during the incident, suffered light injuries.

Witnesses also said the attackers were only stopped after the intervention of other customers at the shop, which they left hurling abuse and threats.

No arrests had been made up until late yesterday, while local police have launched an investigation.

Barbarousis and the other attackers are expected to face charges of battery and violating the law regarding the use of weapons.

Barbarousis was notoriously im- plicated in a raid by at least 10 people on an open-air market in the town of Meslongi in September 2012, during which market stalls run by migrants were smashed. Video footage at the time had shown the deputy for Aetoloacarnania walking through the street market apparently demanding that the traders display their licenses.

A Mesolongi court later cleared Barbarousis and another 10 suspects of any involvement.