Court orders release of ex-Golden Dawn members
Two former lawmakers of the far-right Golden Dawn party, Ilias Panagiotaros and Christos Pappas, have been ordered released from prison following a ruling by the Lamia Misdemeanor Council, judicial authorities confirmed on Thursday.
The decision comes after both men completed their prison terms without committing any disciplinary offenses, according to the court's official statement. The council noted that "they have served their sentence and have not committed any disciplinary offense,” paving the way for their release.
As part of the ruling, Panagiotaros and Pappas will be subject to strict post-release conditions. These include a ban on leaving Greece and a requirement to report to their local police station once every month.
Panagiotaros and Pappas were among several high-ranking members of Golden Dawn convicted in 2020 for leading a criminal organization. The landmark verdict, delivered after a five-year trial, dismantled the core of the extremist party, which had gained parliamentary representation during Greece’s financial crisis but was later revealed to have engaged in organized violence and hate crimes.
The release of the two figures is likely to rekindle debate over the lasting impact of Golden Dawn and the broader issue of political extremism in Greece.
