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Greece: The Golden Dawn neo-Nazi party has been declared a criminal organization
After five years of trial, the decision effectively dismantles the party that was once the third largest in the country.
She began her downfall in 2013 after one of her friends was arrested on suspicion of murdering an anti-fascist rapper.
Thousands celebrated in Athens, but groups of anarchists clashed with police
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Greece
The Golden Dawn
News agencies
Wednesday, 07 October 2020, 15:16
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In the video: Clashes and celebrations in response to the conviction of members of the neo-Nazi party in Greece in a terrorist organization (Photo: Reuters)
A Greek court today (Wednesday) declared the far-right "Golden Dawn" a criminal organization.
The decision means an outlaw of the extremist organization, which was formerly the third largest party in the country.
Those present in the courtroom rejoiced at the ruling, as did thousands who demonstrated outside the Court of Appeals in Athens.
However, the rejoicing was overshadowed by groups of anarchists throwing Molotov cocktails at police officers, who responded with tear gas and water hoses.
The neo-Nazi party emerged from the fringes and became notorious within a few years, attracting supporters with anti-foreigner rhetoric at the height of the country's economic crisis.
However, her downfall began in September 2013, when a party supporter was arrested on suspicion of murdering Pavlos Faces, a rapper who was identified with the left-wing camp.
Members of the Golden Dawn, including party leader Nicolaus Michaloliakos, were arrested and authorities opened an investigation on suspicion of criminal activity in parallel with the murder investigation.
The trial began in 2015.
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Greece: 70 senior members of the neo-Nazi party will be prosecuted
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Party members listen to their sentence in court in Athens, today (Photo: Reuters)
Prior to the decision that the party leadership ran a criminal organization, the court ruled that Yorgos Rupkias, a supporter of the "Golden Dawn," murdered Pace.
Pace's mother, Magda, who has not missed a single day of hearings since the trial broke out, burst into tears.
"Pavlos, you did it," she said, according to Greek media.
Party members, including leader Michaloliakos, were not present in the hall.
They were arrested in 2013, the first time elected politicians have been arrested in Greece since the 1967 military coup. They were released after their pre-trial detention period ended.
The party failed to win a single seat in parliament in last year's elections, after which the Conservative Party came to power.
"After the decision today, a traumatic cycle in the public life of the country has come to an end," the prime minister said.
"Like at the polls, this Nazi group was also convicted by the court."
Rapper Pavlos Paces' mother responds to the verdict today (Photo: Reuters)
During the trial, the prosecution prosecuted 65 people, including 18 former lawmakers, on charges of membership in a criminal organization.
After the trial began in April 2015, the party said it was a political persecution.
Hundreds of people testified during the trial, which was postponed during the year due to the corona plague.
Dozens of other defendants, including party members and those considered close associates, are on trial for offenses ranging from murder to perjury.
They are linked to a wave of violence against immigrants and left-wing activists.
After today's ruling, the court will hear the sentence of Pace's killer and decide the sentence of the other defendants.
He used to salute with a raised hand.
Party leader Michaloliakos (Photo: Reuters)
Michaloliakus founded the movement in the mid-1980s and was known as a fan of Nazism and a Holocaust denier, and used to salute with his hands raised in political rallies.
However, he has always denied any connection to Pace's murder.
A police raid on his home in 2013 found weapons and ammunition.
The party has denied being a neo-Nazi movement, but its symbol is reminiscent of a swastika, some of its senior members praising Adolf Hitler and its supporters used to wear black shirts and army trousers in anti-immigrant demonstrations.
Some of the witnesses at the trial said that party members were trained to use weapons and used Nazi symbols.
Last December, Attorney General Edmentia Economo caused a stir when she called for the party leaders to be acquitted, arguing that there was no evidence that they were part of planning or carrying out attacks.
The party grew stronger during the years of economic crisis.
Protesters outside court today (Photo: Reuters)
The cheers were replaced by violence.
Police and demonstrators clash in the streets of Athens (Photo: Reuters)
Outside the court, which was under heavy security, tens of thousands of protesters gathered.
They held signs that read "Nazis in prison," "Fascism, never again" and "Freedom for the people, death for fascism."
"We must send a message to the younger generations, a message against fascism," said Sophia, 69. "It is our duty for democracy to be here today, to show that we stand against such criminal acts."
The human rights organization Amnesty International, which helped organize a network to document racist crimes in Greece, said the court's ruling would strengthen the fight against hate crimes.
"The allegations against the leaders and members of the Golden Dawn, including the assassination of Pavlos Pace, reveal a crack not only in Greece, but across Europe and beyond," said Nils Moiseniks, Europe's director of the organization.
Just last week, graves in a Jewish cemetery in Athens were spray-painted with swastikas and antisemitic graffiti.
Senior officials in the Greek government and the Jewish community in the country have condemned this.
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