A resident of Kos yesterday let the island’s mayor know precisely what he thought of the municipality’s decision to expropriate his land by walking into the town hall and knocking out the official.

The mayor, Giorgos Kyritsis, had to be taken to hospital for treatment following the incident but was not reported to be in a serious condition.

His assailant was arrested and told police that he only intended to protest to the mayor about the expropriation of his land.

The suspect alleged that he was forced to defend himself when the municipal official attacked him.

It was not clear why the municipal council had decided to expropriate the man’s plot of land on the Dodecanese island. The assailant has appealed against the decision.