Golden Dawn leader to be released from prison due to health reasons

Nikos Michaloliakos, the jailed leader of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group, will be released from prison following a decision by a judicial council at Lamia Misdemeanor Court.

It is understood that Michaloliakos, 67, cited health reasons in his application for release.

The Golden Dawn leader, who was sentenced to 13.5 years’ imprisonment in the first instance in 2020, will remain under house arrest at his home in the northern Athens suburb of Pefki, and must report to his local police station every month for the next three years.

The ruling comes more than a year after his brief release in May 2024, which was overturned the following month. At the time, he was returned to prison after continuing to praise and support Nazi-inspired practices embraced by the party’s hardcore.

These practices resulted in the brutal murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013 and other criminal actions.

SYRIZA condemns release of Golden Dawn leader Michaloliakos

SYRIZA criticized the decision to release the leader of neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group, Nikos Michaloliakos, from prison.

“The release of the unrepentant leader of the Nazi criminal organization Golden Dawn, Nikos Michaloliakos, brutally offends the democratic beliefs of the Greek people and the fundamental principles of the rule of law,” the opposition party said in a announcement.

The party added that it “does not forget the crimes of the neo-Nazis in neighborhoods and workplaces, their hatred, their racist fury, and the violence they advocate and practice, targeting democracy and fundamental human rights.” 

SYRIZA concluded by saying that it is time for “democratic political parties, social movements, collectives, and every democratic citizen to strengthen their struggle against fascism in all its forms, as well as against fascist practices.”

Kathimerini