Nikos Michaloliakos, the head of the far-right Greek party Golden Dawn, has been granted early release from prison, having served less than half of his 13-year sentence. A judicial council allowed the controversial figure to complete the remainder of his sentence at home due to health concerns, according to reports from state media.
The 67-year-old’s conditional release, which comes after five years in custody, has sparked outrage among left-wing political factions. Critics argue that the judiciary’s decision is a troubling display of leniency towards a figure associated with violent extremism.
Background on Michaloliakos and Golden Dawn
This marks the second instance of Michaloliakos’s temporary freedom, following his 2020 conviction for orchestrating a series of violent assaults against immigrants and political dissenters by Golden Dawn supporters. In May 2024, he was released briefly but was quickly returned to prison after judicial authorities determined he had not exhibited satisfactory behavior.
Michaloliakos founded and led a party that was designated as a criminal organization, linked to the assassination of an anti-fascist musician and attacks on Egyptian fishermen and leftist activists. Golden Dawn gained notoriety during Greece’s 2012 elections, capitalizing on nationalist sentiment and anti-immigrant rhetoric in the wake of the country’s financial crisis.
Despite Golden Dawn’s claims of distancing itself from neo-Nazism, the party embraced symbols reminiscent of the Nazi regime, and Michaloliakos has openly expressed admiration for Hitler, frequently saluting during rallies.
Political Reactions to the Release
In response to his release, Greece’s New Left party issued a statement condemning the decision as “a serious blow to the collective memory and the struggle for democracy and justice”. They emphasized that the justice system must not convey a sense of impunity to individuals who embody hatred and fascism.
The Communist Party of Greece (KKE) also criticized the ruling, asserting that the crimes associated with Golden Dawn remain significant in the minds of the populace and the youth, stating that “Golden Dawn’s crimes are not time-limited in the consciousness of the people and the youth.”
“The justice system cannot send a message of impunity to those who embodied hatred and fascism.”