Former MP Kassidiaris released in Greece, announces return to politics
In Greece, 46-year-old Ilias Kassidiaris, a former spokesperson and lawmaker for the far-right Golden Dawn party, has been released from prison. After his release, he announced his intention to return to politics ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for next year, Cyprus Mail reports.
Verdict in the Golden Dawn case
In 2020, Golden Dawn, which was characterized as a far-right neo-Nazi party, was found to be a criminal organization. It was linked to hate crimes, including the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas.
Kassidiaris was sentenced to 13.5 years in prison as one of the leaders of this organization. He spent about six years in prison: prison work and time spent in custody before the verdict were taken into account when determining his term.
Statement on a new party
Kassidiaris left a prison in central Greece to cheers from supporters holding Greek flags. He told journalists that he plans to create a party to confront what he described as the corrupt political establishment.
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“I am returning today, and, as I can see, I am not alone; with me is a new, strong national party, similar to those dominating across Europe,” he said.
Greek law prohibits parties led by convicted persons from participating in elections. Kassidiaris previously founded the ultranationalist Greeks party, which was barred from the 2023 national elections. He later publicly supported the nationalist Spartans party: it too was barred from the European Parliament elections, and three of the party’s lawmakers lost their mandates based on evidence that Kassidiaris had run it from prison.
In 2012, Kassidiaris attacked two female politicians during a live television program.
