Golden Dawn Leader Nikos Michaloliakos Released From Prison,Sparking Outrage in Greece
Athens,Greece – Nikos Michaloliakos,the convicted leader of the Greek neo-nazi party Golden Dawn,was released from prison on Friday to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence under house arrest. The decision, made by a judicial council citing health concerns, comes less than halfway through his imprisonment and has ignited a firestorm of criticism from left-wing political parties and anti-fascist groups.
Michaloliakos, 67, was found guilty in 2020 of leading a criminal organization responsible for a series of violent attacks targeting immigrants, political opponents, and minorities. These attacks included the shocking 2013 murder of anti-fascist musician Pavlos Fyssas, as well as attempted murders of Egyptian fishermen and communist activists.
Golden dawn rose to prominence during Greece’s decade-long financial crisis, capitalizing on economic hardship and anti-immigrant sentiment to become the third-largest party in the 2012 elections. Despite officially denying neo-Nazi affiliations,the party openly embraced Nazi-influenced symbolism and Michaloliakos himself was frequently photographed performing the Hitler salute at rallies.
This is not the first time Michaloliakos has been granted temporary release. He was briefly allowed out of prison in May 2024, but was later forced to return after authorities deemed his behavior unsatisfactory.
the decision to grant michaloliakos house arrest has been met with strong condemnation.Greece’s New left party released a statement calling the move “a serious blow to the collective memory and the struggle for democracy and justice,” arguing that the judiciary should not offer leniency to those who “embodied hatred and fascism.” The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) echoed these sentiments, demanding the decision be overturned, stating that Golden Dawn’s crimes ”are not time-limited in the consciousness of the people and the youth.”
The release raises questions about justice and accountability for far-right extremism in Greece,and is likely to fuel ongoing debate about the legacy of Golden Dawn and its impact on Greek society.
Keywords: Greece, Golden Dawn, Nikos Michaloliakos, Neo-Nazi, Prison Release, House Arrest, Pavlos Fyssas, Far-Right Extremism, Political News, International News.
