The free circulation of ideas is, at least still, constitutionally guaranteed in Greece. The same is true of political expression and political activity. These freedoms are absolutely vital because, without them, the Greek people cannot form an opinion about what is happening in their country and internationally, nor can they hold accountable those who govern them.
The constitutional guarantee of these freedoms means that the expression of opinion or political action must not depend on the preventive or repressive control of whoever happens to be in power. However, the current practice of state and European authorities is now moving in the opposite direction.
We note with alarm unprecedented prosecutions or threats of prosecution, sanctions, public shaming, or other threats solely for the expression of political views or for political actions that simply do not align with those promoted by the government, the United States, NATO, or the European Union.
We cite indicatively and only as examples:
Greek citizens are summoned to informal interrogations by “journalists on assignment” from Greek and foreign media outlets who circulate questionnaires containing information originating from intelligence services and threaten with “sanctions” those who do not cooperate.
Greek citizens, like citizens of other countries, receive indirect threats from foreign NGOs that do not approve of their political activity or views.
Greek citizens become the subject of judicial investigation, arrests, or even criminal prosecution because they did not bow their heads to Israeli “tourists” who enter Greek shops and tear down posters against the Genocide, demanding that no reference exist on Greek soil to one of the greatest crimes against humanity. Instead of the “tourists” being prosecuted by the authorities for their behavior, the Prosecutor summons the shop owners to interrogate them about antisemitism. (Which is, in a sense, fortunate, because in Cyprus employees of the Israeli embassy are already conducting, on their own initiative and illegally, searches of residents’ homes. They apparently consider the entire planet as a potential Gaza. https://www.philenews.com/kipros/paraskinio/article/1766724/ti-tha-gini-me-tin-presvia-tou-israil/)
An Israeli company demanded compensation from a Greek political party due to a political intervention on housing that the party carried out in the Valaoritou area of Thessaloniki. The company accused the party of racism and antisemitism because it highlighted the problem caused by the mass purchase of real estate by large foreign “investors.”
Greek citizens, including former Ministers, are placed on Ukrainian “death lists” with the silent tolerance of the Greek government.
Foreign citizens in Greece receive threats, are deported, or imprisoned on terrorism charges because they did not agree with the official Western narrative about their countries.
Unfortunately, these are not isolated initiatives by isolated state organs or “private” entities:
EU regulations already in force, under the pretext of “combating Russian disinformation,” impose or authorize member states to impose sanctions arbitrarily on citizens of any country, including EU member states themselves, without recognizing even the formal right to a prior hearing, through secret procedures, with the sole criterion being the views they express publicly. They create lists of blacklisted persons on whom is imposed, in flagrant violation of European treaties and national constitutions, complete exclusion from economic life and freezing of their assets, aimed at their social and physical extermination, since they are not permitted to purchase even food or medical care. The same sanctions are imposed on the families of the targets and on anyone who transacts with them for any reason. They are maintained arbitrarily, without time limitation, beyond and outside any effective judicial review https://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/in-edicola/articoli/2026/05/05/human-rights-experts-extrajudicial-sanctions-against-six-european-citizens-undermine-fundamental-rights/8375302/ .
Long-standing legislation, common to all EU countries, such as anti-terrorism legislation, legislation on the dissemination of false news, provisions on racist crimes, so-called hate crimes, etc., are now being interpreted in a way that allows them to be used to silence through criminal repression views contrary to the Western narrative about the wars in Ukraine, Iran, Syria, or the genocide in Palestine.
Informal mechanisms of threats, public shaming, and slander are being activated.
The “irony” is that all of this is happening under the justification of defending democracy! Since when can the abolition of fundamental democratic rights be considered, in any way, a defense of democracy?
All thinking and democratic people must react, must publicly denounce the incidents of modern McCarthyism before it is too late, before they evolve into “acceptable normality,” as happened in pre-war Europe and McCarthy’s America.
This does not concern only those citizens who disagree with the dominant policies on Ukraine or the Middle East. It concerns all citizens, regardless of political and ideological beliefs, and regardless of their opinion on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. It concerns all those who consider freedom of speech and the defense of democratic freedoms a vital necessity — freedoms for which the Greek and European peoples fought and won, shedding their blood during the Greek and French Revolutions, during the magnificent popular resistance to Nazism and Fascism, and in so many other instances.
Whoever believes that the moral, economic, or even physical extermination of our fellow citizens does not concern them because others are the targets is gravely mistaken. And they will find no one to support them when their turn comes.
Signatures – Titles
- Avramidis Christos, Journalist
- Alase Antel, Psychiatrist – Child Psychiatrist – Psychoanalyst
- Amallou Themis, Art Critic – Translator
- Andreadis Yagos, Emeritus Professor, Panteion University
- Antypas Stavros, Jurist
- Arzoglou Grigoris, Journalist, retired Public Diplomacy Press Advisor
- Vagena Dina, Journalist
- Vardoulakis Antonis, Emeritus Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Vatikiotis Leonidas, Economist, Journalist
- Venetis Evangelos, International Hellenic University, Expert on Iran, Islam and the Middle East
- Vichou Marina, Journalist
- Voloudaki Marina, Actress
- Vosniadou Tania, Psychologist
- Voulgaraki Evi, Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP), Department of Social Theology and the Study of Religion, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Voulgari Anastasia, Author
- Georgoulas Stratos, Professor, University of the Aegean
- Georgopoulos Dimosthenis, Economist
- Goutzanis Spyros, Journalist
- Gonatas Vangelis, Economist, coordinator of the Prensa Rebelde gr network
- Griveas Michalis, Author
- Grympogiannis Giorgos, Retired private sector employee
- Dagres Thakis, Business Consultant
- Daskalakis Nikos, Ministry of Education employee, administrator of the site “liberty voice”
- Deligianni Elsa, Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Diamantopoulos Christos, Musician, Music Producer
- Drosopoulou Vaso, Nurse
- Drosos G. Dionysis, Emeritus Professor, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Elliniadis Stelios, Journalist
- Epifanios, Monk, Mount Athos
- Zarotiadis Grigoris, Professor, Department of Economics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Iliopoulou Youli, Civil Engineer, former Director of Technical Services and Urban Planning, Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni
- Thoma Labrini, Journalist
- Ignatiadis Theodoros, Physician
- Kagiafa Eirini, Clinical Dietitian
- Kapoulas Vasilis, Camera Operator
- Karavitou Jenny, Theatre Pedagogue, Author
- Karaiskos Kostas, head of the citizens’ movement Spartakos, Komotini
- Karamesinis Sotiris, Director, Researcher
- Karvounopoulos Paris, Journalist, Director of Militaire.gr
- Kareotis Paisios, Monk, Mount Athos
- Katsouda Anastasia, Retired private sector educator
- Kaltsonis Dimitris, Professor, Panteion University
- Kelesis Giorgos, Anaesthesiologist
- Keppas Vangelis, Accountant, member of Anti-NATO Action
- Kimpouropoulos Giannis, Journalist
- Kitsou Nikolletta, Archaeologist
- Kontarinis Petros, Trade Unionist, President of the Association for the Protection of Insurance Rights
- Kouvelas Dimitris, Professor of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, President of the political movement “Pnoi Dimokratias”
- Kouzis Giannis, Emeritus Professor, Panteion University
- Kouris Giannis, Emeritus Professor, Panteion University
- Koutsoukos Christos, Wing Commander, Hellenic Air Force (ret.)
- Kritikos Marios, former Vice-President of the General Council of ADEDY (Trade Union of Greek state functionaries)
- Konstantakopoulos Dimitris, Journalist, Author, coordinator of the Delphi network. www.defenddemocracy.press
- Konstantakopoulos Ilias, Filmmaker
- Konstantinou Antonis, Retired
- Konstas Anastasios, Lawyer
- Lagani Eirini, Emeritus Professor, PhD in Modern History, University of Sorbonne (Paris I-Panthéon Sorbonne)
- Lazana Eirini, Lawyer
- Lampos Kostas, Dr. Economist, Essayist
- Lampropoulos Vasilis, Chemist
- Lefkofrydis Spyros, Musician
- Liatsos Dimitris, Doctor of Philosophy, Journalist
- Lieros Giorgos, Author
- Lymperatos Michalis, Historian, Doctor of History and postdoctoral researcher at Panteion University
- Makri Aleka, Physician, member of Anti-NATO Action
- Makridis Vasilis, Journalist
- Manouki Stavroula
- Manolidis Kostas, Professor, University of Thessaly
- Margaritis Giorgos, Professor of Modern History – Author
- Markatos Nikos, Emeritus Professor and former Rector of the National Technical University of Athens
- Marketos Spyros, Historian, Department of Political Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Machaira Eleni, Historian
- Mitralexis Sotiris, Visiting Professor and Research Associate, IOCS Cambridge
- Molyviatis – Stamatoukos Thanasis, retired civil servant, Ministry of Education
- Baki Evgenia, Freelance Professional
- Basoulas Nikos, Retired O.A. (Agricultural Insurance) pensioner
- Benetatos Spyros, Dr. of Philosophy
- Negreponti-Delivani Maria, Economist, former rector of the University of Macedonia, former advisor to the OECD, honorary member of the Romanian Academy of Sciences
- Nedelkou Eirini, Author
- Nikodimos, Monk, Mount Athos
- Nikolakaki Maria, Professor, University of Peloponnese
- Nikolopoulos Fotios, Physician
- Douzgos Kostas, former President of the Prefectural Department of ADEDY Fthiotida
- Xydias Vasilis, Theologian
- Orfanos Kriton, Psychologist
- Palaistidis Dinos, Book sector employee
- Pallis Nikos, Private sector employee
- Pantelatos Dimitris, Air Vice Marshal (ret.)
- Papadomanolakis Panagiotis, Journalist
- Papadopoulos Thrasyvoulos, Educator
- Papapastasiou N. Ilias, Business Consultant – Completed Legal, Political Science and Doctoral studies in Athens and Sweden
- Papoulis Konstantinos, Civil Engineer, Educator
- Patelis Dimitris, Professor of Philosophy, Technical University of Crete, member of the Working Group of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform
- Patsios Kanellos – Ioannis, Content Creator
- Petrakis Michalis, Retired
- Petrakos Thanasis, Mathematician
- Petsas Alexandros, Brigadier General of the Hellenic Army (ret.)
- Petsetidi Dora, Lawyer
- Pleionis Dimitris, former President of the Hellenic Civil Aviation Authority (HCAA), member of BDS Greece
- Pottaki Ifigeneia, Translator, Interpreter, Political Analyst
- Progoulis Nikos, Laboratory Teaching Staff (EDIP), National Technical University of Athens
- Prunes Antonio, Tour Guide
- Raptis Kostas, Journalist
- Rachiotis Giannis, Jurist, Criminal Lawyer, Member of the Bureau of the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL)
- Rigas Giorgos, Secretary General of the Pensioners’ Association of Commercial Bank
- Romanos Giorgos, Author, Historical Researcher
- Rota Katerina, Private sector employee
- Samakouris Stamatis, Visual Arts Educator
- Sarlani Vasiliki, Employee
- Simos Nikos, Columnist
- Sireti Maria, Lawyer
- Skarpalezos Dimitris, Fr. Professor of Mathematics, University Paris Diderot (VII),
- Soufli Kalliopi, Journalist, former publisher of the newspaper “Attika Nea” in East Attica
- Spathatou Adamantia, Historian – Archaeologist – Educator
- Stathakis N. Spyros, Physician, former Director of the National Health System
- Stathis, Cartoonist
- Stamou Giannis, Retired Banker
- Stravelakis Nikos, Academic, Department of Business Administration and Organizations, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Stratigakos Stavros, Director
- Stratoulis Dimitris, Secretary of Popular Unity, Former MP and Minister
- Schizas Giannis, Author
- Sotiropoulou Evangelia, Mechanical Engineer
- Tzanetoulakou Faie, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Thessaly
- Tzimas Themis, Assistant Professor, Law School, University of Nicosia, Cyprus
- Tzortzi Maria, Lawyer
- Topalidis Charis, Economist, PhD
- Travlos-Tzanetatos Dimitris, Emeritus Professor of Law, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
- Tsekouras Giorgos, Dentist
- Tsiggos Alexandros, Radio Producer, Journalist
- Tsourelis Eleftherios, Civil Engineer, former General Director of the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works
- Fatourou Angeliki, Physicist, Educator
- Chatziargyrou Ersi, Painter – Sculptor
- Chrysanthopoulos Leonidas, Ambassador Ad Honorem