Critical day in Golden Dawn trial as Prosecutor’s recommendation awaits
A pivotal day has arrived for the families of victims and the anti-fascist movement as the Golden Dawn trial in the Court of Appeals enters its second instance. On Friday, the prosecutor is expected to deliver her recommendation, deciding whether to uphold the original court ruling that classified Golden Dawn as a criminal organization.
The neo-Nazi party, led by Nikos Michaloliakos and key figures including Ilias Kasidiaris, Giannis Lagos, and Ilias Panagiotaros, was accused of multiple violent crimes, including the murders of Pavlos Fyssas and Shahzad Luqman, attacks against refugees and immigrants, and assaults on trade unionists.
From early morning, civil society groups, organizations, and political parties gathered outside the Court of Appeals for an anti-fascist demonstration, sending a clear message that “fascism has no place here.”
The prosecutor’s recommendation carries significant legal and criminal weight. It will influence not only the appeals of the defendants seeking reduced sentences but also the appeal filed by the prosecution requesting harsher penalties. The recommendation primarily concerns twelve key defendants, including the party leadership and members involved in the attempted murder of Shahzad Luqman.
In the first-instance trial, seven former MPs convicted as leaders of the criminal organization received sentences of 13 years or more, while other members were sentenced to 5–10 years in prison. Out of the 42 defendants being tried in the appeals court, most are now out of prison, except for life-sentenced Giorgos Roupakias and MPs Ilias Kasidiaris and Giannis Lagos.
The charges under review focus on the hierarchical structure and violent actions of Golden Dawn, including:
The murder of Pavlos Fyssas on September 17, 2013, in Nikaia, carried out by a Golden Dawn “attack squad” that facilitated Giorgos Roupakias in fatally stabbing the musician. The court ruled the murder as a targeted and organized act.
The attempted murder of Egyptian fisherman Shahzad Luqman on June 12, 2012, in Perama, when members of the local Golden Dawn unit broke into his home and attacked him and others with clubs and rods, causing serious injuries.
The prosecutor’s statement is expected to provide guidance to the Court of Appeals regarding confirmation or modification of the initial sentences, marking a significant milestone in Greece’s judicial reckoning with Golden Dawn’s criminal activities.
Source:efsyn.gr
