ATHENS — A University of Athens Professor of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine was assaulted by the owners of a tavern in the central Greek town of Kalambaka after he asked why customers weren’t being asked to display COVID-19 vaccination certificates as required.

The victim, Theodoros Vassilakopoulos, is also an adjunct professor at the noted McGill University in Montreal and was among 15 specialists attending a scientific seminar in the area, said Kathimerini..

The Hellenic Pulmonary Society “unequivocally” condemned the attack that came as the New Democracy government has essentially walked away from trying to enforce its own health restrictions to slow the pandemic that’s spreading because of rabid anti-vaxxers.

“Their approach was advisory and well-intentioned. However, the reaction by the business’ owners was disproportionate and… included physical and verbal violence,” the society said.

The New Democracy government said it would give privileges to the vaccinated in a bid to spur others to be inoculated but has nearly surrendered to anti-vaxxers demanding the same rights, including being allowed to dine indoors.

At least one major university has also admitted it won’t check students for vaccine certificates or to produce negative COVID tests as many Greeks have stopped listening to health advisories even as cases are soaring.