In a bold act of defiance against the Greek military junta, the captain and crew of the Hellenic Navy destroyer Velos mutinied while on a training mission. Instead of returning to Greece, they navigated to Fiumicino, Italy, where they announced their refusal to comply with orders from the dictatorship that had taken power in a coup in 1967. The mutiny was not just a spontaneous act but a calculated protest against the oppressive regime that severely repressed political dissent and civil liberties in Greece. The officers on board had grown increasingly frustrated with the military government's disregard for democratic principles and human rights.

As the Velos docked in Italy, the crew's action drew immediate attention from both the media and the political community. It was seen as a symbol of resistance and helped galvanize support for anti-junta movements within Greece and among the Greek diaspora. The event resonated in the broader context of European anti-authoritarian sentiments during the 1970s, as many nations grappled with the legacies of World War II and the Cold War. The mutiny ultimately showcased the internal divisions within the Greek military and the potential for uprisings against totalitarian rule.

Following the mutiny, various international reactions surfaced, with many applauding the resolve of the Velos crew while others criticized the sailors for abandoning their duties. This incident played a role in increasing international scrutiny of the Greek military junta and contributed to growing calls for democracy, leading up to the eventual fall of the regime in 1974.