ATHENS, March 12 (Xinhua) -- The Greek parliament on Wednesday sanctioned a deputy, who had vandalized artworks at the National Gallery in Athens on Monday, claiming they were offensive to Christianity.
The monthly compensation of Nikolaos Papadopoulos of the ultra-conservative nationalist Niki (Victory) party, will be reduced by half for one month as a first step due to his misconduct.
Moreover, the parliament plenary will decide whether to lift his immunity for potential prosecution.
Papadopoulos removed four paintings from the walls of the gallery and threw them to the ground, shouting that they were blasphemous. The artworks, by Greek artist Christoforos Katsadiotis, were part of an exhibition on religious themes.
The National Gallery's director, associations of artists, and political parties condemned the "uncivilized action" as an attack on free expression.
