12.10.2026 21:10
Greece's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas praised Nikitas Stamatelopoulos, known for his massacres against Turkish civilians, with the words “we honor the hero known as Turk-eating Nikitaras.” Dimas, who also shared photos from the memorial ceremony held in Stamatelopoulos's name, drew reactions with his statements, while the post in question was removed by X on the grounds that it violated platform rules.
Another addition has been made to Greek politicians' rhetoric that fuels anti-Turkish hostility.
Greece's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Christos Dimas, in a post on his social media account X, commemorated Nikitas Stamatelopoulos (Nikitaras), known for massacres against Turkish civilians during the Greek War of Independence, with scandalous remarks.
HE DECLARED HIM A HERO WITH A SCANDALOUS STATEMENT
In his post, Dimas used the words, "We honor the hero Nikitas Stamatelopoulos, known as Nikitaras the Turk-eater!"
Dimas also added photos from the ceremony held in front of the monument erected in Stamatelopoulos's name to his message.
X REMOVED THE POST
Dimas's scandalous post, which drew reactions, was removed by X a few hours after it was published on the grounds that it violated platform rules.
HE WAS KNOWN BY THE NICKNAME "TURK-EATER"
Nikitas Stamatelopoulos, known as Nikitaras, was one of the controversial figures who fought against the Ottoman army in the Greek War of Independence that began in 1821.
Stamatelopoulos, known especially for his massacres against Turkish civilians, was referred to by the nickname "Turkofagos," which means "Turk-eater" in Greek.
THE SAME PHRASE HAD ALSO APPEARED ON THE CHRISTCHURCH ATTACKER'S WEAPON
The phrase "Turkofagos" had also come to prominence with the terrorist attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
The perpetrator of the attacks carried out on March 15, 2019, in which 51 people lost their lives, had written anti-Turkish and anti-Muslim statements on his weapons.
In investigations, it was determined that the word "Turkofagos" was found on one of the weapons.