Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the head of Greece’s extreme far-right Golden Dawn party, was granted conditional early release from prison after serving part of his sentence for running a criminal organization responsible for violent hate crimes. The council of judges accepted his request, considering that he had served the minimal legal requirement for early release and that he was over 65 years old, which increases the time he is considered to have served. Michaloliakos is in poor health and spent 18 months in pre-trial detention. Restrictions imposed on him include a ban on traveling outside the greater Athens region.
In October 2020, Michaloliakos and five other former Golden Dawn lawmakers were convicted of running a criminal organization and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Other party members received lesser sentences following a five-year trial. Golden Dawn, founded as a Nazi-inspired group in the 1980s, rose to become Greece’s third-largest political party during most of the country’s 2010-2018 financial crisis. However, its support declined, and the party failed to enter parliament post-crisis. The crackdown on Golden Dawn followed the 2013 fatal stabbing of a left-wing musician in Athens, for which a Golden Dawn associate was given a life sentence.
The decision to grant Michaloliakos early release has garnered criticism from Greek political parties and the family of the slain musician. Many have expressed dismay at the release of someone responsible for leading a group associated with violent hate crimes. The decision to release him conditionally includes a ban on traveling outside the greater Athens region, but many fear that he may still pose a threat to society. The backlash against this decision highlights the sensitive nature of releasing individuals associated with extremist groups and the potential impact on community safety.
Despite Golden Dawn’s decline in support post-crisis, the party’s actions and the ensuing trial had a significant impact on Greek politics and society. The conviction of Michaloliakos and other party members for running a criminal organization emphasized the consequences of hate crimes and violence perpetrated by extremist groups. The release of Michaloliakos brings these issues back into the spotlight, raising questions about the rehabilitation of individuals associated with such groups and the potential risks they pose to society.
The release of Nikolaos Michaloliakos and the reaction to it highlight the ongoing challenges in addressing extremism and hate crimes in Greek society. The granting of conditional early release to someone convicted of running a criminal organization responsible for violent acts has raised concerns about accountability, justice, and the safety of communities. The legacy of Golden Dawn, its rise to political prominence, and subsequent decline serve as a reminder of the dangers of extremist ideologies and the importance of vigilance in addressing and preventing hate crimes. The case of Golden Dawn and Nikolaos Michaloliakos underscores the need for continued efforts to combat extremism and uphold the principles of democracy and justice in Greece and beyond.
