Public reaction following Stamatis Gonidis's greeting to Ilias Kasidiaris

Popular Greek singer Stamatis Gonidis sparked controversy on the night of Saturday, October 3, 2026, when he publicly addressed former political figure Ilias Kasidiaris at a nightclub where Gonidis was performing alongside Lena Zevgara. Kasidiaris, who was released from Domokos prison on September 15, 2026, after completing his sentence related to the Golden Dawn criminal organization case, attended the performance as a guest.

During the show, Gonidis acknowledged Kasidiaris's presence from the stage, stating, "I thank you for choosing me to celebrate your release." This interaction, which was captured on video and circulated on social media, drew significant public criticism. In response to the backlash, Gonidis clarified that he does not know Kasidiaris personally and was merely acknowledging a customer who chose his venue. Meanwhile, singer Aggeliki Iliadi has publicly defended Gonidis, characterizing the exchange as a simple gesture of human courtesy rather than a political statement.

While the incident has prompted widespread discussion regarding the public reception of figures associated with controversial political movements, there are no further official actions or legal consequences reported in connection with this specific event.