SYRIZA MEP Nikos Pappas have been accused to have punched a Greek journalist in Strasbourg late on Tuesday. He has been been removed from the SYRIZA group at the European Parliament and faces also expulsion from the left-wing party.

According to the complaint officially filed by the victim, Nikos Giannopoulos, Pappas, who was eating at the restaurant where Giannopoulos was also present with other press colleagues, tripped him while he was exiting the restaurant.

The incident escalated into a scuffle with Nikos Pappas reportedly suggesting they step outside to “settle it.” The journalist was then attacked as he attempted to leave the venue.

According to the complaint, Pappas struck the journalist at least twice on the back of the head. Other members of the Greek delegation who were at the venue intervened, while the journalist struggled to recover.

Journalist Giannopoulos, employed at Greek media outlet news247.gr, accused the now former filed a formal complaint and lodged a lawsuit with the local police station.

According to tovima, Pappas is now being sought by the police in Strasbourg under the flagrante delicto procedure.

The Greek lawmaker faces charges of assault committed by a public official acting in an institutional capacity while in a calm mental state.

Expulsion from SYRIZA

Shortly after the incident became public, SYRIZA leader Sokratis Famellos decided to expel Nikos Pappas from the party’s delegation in the European Parliament and referred him to the party’s ethics committee with a recommendation for expulsion from the party.

After his removal from SYRIZA delegation Pappas is now an independent MEP at the European Parliament.