Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the head of Greece’s extreme far-right Golden Dawn party, has been granted conditional early release from prison. This decision was made by a council of judges after he served the minimal legal requirement for early release and took into consideration his age of over 65 and poor health. Michaloliakos had spent 18 months in pre-trial detention and will now be restricted from traveling outside the greater Athens region. He was convicted in October 2020 of running a criminal organization along with five other former Golden Dawn lawmakers and sentenced to 13 years in prison, while other party members received lesser sentences.
Golden Dawn was established in the 1980s as a Nazi-inspired group and became Greece’s third-largest political party during the country’s financial crisis from 2010-2018. However, its support declined and the party failed to enter parliament post-crisis. The crackdown on the party began after the 2013 fatal stabbing of a left-wing musician in Athens, which led to a Golden Dawn associate being sentenced to life in prison. The decision to release Michaloliakos has caused dismay among Greek political parties and the family of the slain musician.
While Golden Dawn once held significant influence in Greek politics, the party faced legal consequences after being found guilty of running a criminal organization responsible for violent hate crimes. The release of Michaloliakos marks the latest development in the ongoing legal battle against the far-right group. The conditions of his release include a ban on traveling outside the greater Athens region, which is intended to limit his ability to engage in further criminal activities. Despite his early release, Michaloliakos and other former Golden Dawn lawmakers will have to live with the knowledge that they were held accountable for their actions.
The release of Nikolaos Michaloliakos comes at a time when far-right extremism is on the rise in various parts of Europe. While Golden Dawn may have declined in influence in recent years, the release of its former leader could potentially reignite support for the extremist group. The decision to grant Michaloliakos early release has sparked criticism from Greek political parties and the family of the victim of the fatal stabbing, who have expressed disappointment in the judicial system. The release of Michaloliakos raises concerns about the potential resurgence of far-right extremism in Greece and the need for continued vigilance in combating hate crimes and extremist ideologies.
The case of Golden Dawn serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by extremist organizations and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their involvement in criminal activities. The early release of Nikolaos Michaloliakos should prompt a reevaluation of the legal system’s ability to effectively address and prevent far-right extremism. As Greece continues to grapple with the legacy of Golden Dawn, it is crucial for authorities to remain vigilant in monitoring and addressing the threat posed by extremist groups. The release of Michaloliakos may have far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape and the ongoing fight against hate crimes and extremist ideologies.
