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Greece to Transfer Control of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to the Army

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Changing of the Greek Presidential Guard at Syntagma, Athens. Public Domain

The Greek government is moving to place the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—the national memorial located outside the Parliament building in Athens’ Syntagma Square—under the direct control of the Ministry of Defense.

This decision, announced by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, comes directly in response to a significant protest staged at the site by Panos Ruci, the father of one of the 57 victims of the 2023 Tempi train crash.

Ruci conducted a highly visible hunger strike at the memorial, which drew considerable public attention and support from rival political parties, effectively turning the historic site into a focal point of anti-government sentiment regarding the crash investigation.

Mitsotakis on the security of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated that his government will introduce legislation to formally transfer the jurisdiction and maintenance of the monument and its surrounding premises to the Defense Ministry. His rationale is centered on preserving the historical and symbolic integrity of the memorial.

In a public post, Mitsotakis argued that the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier must not be co-opted for unrelated political events, rhetorically asking: “Can a historical monument such as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier become a venue for events unrelated to its purpose? My answer is no.”

He emphasized that the monument’s sole purpose is to honor Greek heroes and historical memory, a significance underscored by the presence of the Presidential Guard (Evzones).

Mitsotakis defended the move by asserting that citizens have “thousands of other places” for free expression through rallies and demonstrations, and that the familiar, reverent character of the memorial must be preserved.

Related: Greece’s Witness to History: The Unknown Soldier Monument

Implications for protests and security

While the monument has a long history of being the location for political protests—many of which have resulted in violence and clashes between police and demonstrators—the Prime Minister’s announcement signals an intent to strictly restrict future non-commemorative activities.

The statement did not specify what new measures the Defense Ministry will implement, or if increased security will be permanently stationed to prevent protests.

Related: Outrage as Protester Steps on Athens’ Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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