ATHENS – The nazi salute performed by the lawyer Konstantinos Plevris, father of a serving government minister, during a session of the Criminal Appeals Court currently hearing the Golden Dawn case at appeal, is the focus of an investigation launched by the Athens public prosecutors’ department, according to an announcement on Thursday.

Plevris is one of two defence lawyers representing the convicted MEP Yiannis Lagos, who has been found guilty for his role within the far-right, criminal organisation Golden Dawn. The head of the prosecutors’ department Antonis Eleftherianos has ordered an inquiry into his actions in the light of laws against racism, with the case assigned to public prosecutor Maria Karamanoli, who is responsible for investigating and prosecuting racist crimes.

The investigation concerns an incident in court on October 7, when Plevris raised his hand in a nazi salute during an interchange with the mother of slain rapper Pavlos Fyssas. His action has also prompted disciplinary proceedings within the Athens bar association.

Commenting on his father’s actions, Health Minister Thanos Plevris said the salute made him feel “very bad for two reasons, firstly because it happened in a court room and secondly, in front of a woman whose son was murdered by a nazi…”