ATHENS/ANKARA

Greece’s main opposition party, the Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA), announced Wednesday that it expelled Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Nikos Pappas from the European Parliament group for assaulting a journalist.

“SYRIZA President Sokratis Famellos has removed SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas from the party’s EP group due to his unacceptable conduct,” it said in a statement.

It also confirmed that disciplinary proceedings have been initiated to expel Pappas from the party entirely.

Pappas admitted in remarks published by Greek media that he physically assaulted a journalist in Strasbourg and expressed regret about his actions.