Greece Launches Trial Against Neo-Nazi Golden Dawn Party

Anti-fascist protesters take part in a rally outside Korydallos prison ahead of the trial of members of the ultra-right Golden Dawn party in Athens, Greece. Photo: EPA/BGNES

The trial proceeding against 89 members of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn started Monday in Athens.

Party leaders have been accused of creating ''a criminal organization'', but they were not present in the court room as reported by AFP. Accusation to party members also included murder, racist violence and possession of weapons.

According to local analysts the trial will determine the fate of the third largest party in Greek Parliament that gained a lot of support at the outburst of the economic crisis in the country, the New York Times reported.

Party founder Nikos Michaloliakos and many MPs with leadership roles did not attend the trial session located in a specially assembled hall in the prison of Korydallos.

Lawyers of the defendants did not provide any explanation regarding the absences.

Party leader Michaloliakos and his right hand Christos Papas had to attend as free citizens after the 18-month term of their detention passed at the end of March.

Other prominent party figures, however, as for example speker Ilias Kasidiaris are already in jail without trial.

The trail is expected to run longer than a year, on account of the serious accusations and numerous racist attacks that Golden Dawn has been charged with. The first incident that attracted attention was the murder of leftist rapper Pavlos Fyssas. Giorgos Roupakias, a supporter of the party, confessed to having committed the crime and after a search of party members' homes, weapons and Nazi paraphenalia have been found.

The party was later charged on account of its possible involvement with a Pakistani immigrant murder assault.

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