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GREECE — Athens court finds neo-fascist party Golden Dawn guilty of running a criminal organization as it rose to prominence during the country’s financial crisis, systematically targeting migrants and left-wing critics. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/07/world/europe/golden-dawn-guilty-verdict-greece.html
The three-judge criminal court tied the party to a string of attacks including the fatal stabbing in 2013 of a left-wing rapper, Pavlos Fyssas.
The party member who stabbed Mr. Fyssas, Giorgos Roupakias, was found guilty of murder on Wednesday.
The party member who stabbed Mr. Fyssas, Giorgos Roupakias, was found guilty of murder on Wednesday.
Formed in the 80s by a fmr Greek army commando, the Golden Dawn party become Greece’s third largest political party at the peak of the country’s financial crisis in 2012, tapping into public discontent against austerity and a growing influx of immigrants.Sound familiar?
2012-19
During its time in Greek Parliament, the Golden Dawn party maintained public support by casting itself as patriotic and fighting the system from within, but it retained links with neo-fascist parties in other European countries and the US.
Sound familiar?
During its time in Greek Parliament, the Golden Dawn party maintained public support by casting itself as patriotic and fighting the system from within, but it retained links with neo-fascist parties in other European countries and the US.Sound familiar?
Amnesty International said in a statement on Monday that a guilty verdict would boost efforts to crack down on hate crimes.
Speaking before the decision, Elena Karvouni, 68, who was among those gathered, said that it was important for her to be at the court, despite the pandemic.
“As a mother and as a citizen of this country that has fought with blood against fascism, it wasn’t possible that I wouldn’t be here,” she said.
Elena Kritikou, 50, said that the throngs of young people crowing Alexandras Avenue in Athens and the area outside the court made her feel exhilarated.
“I feel like there is hope for a better tomorrow,” she said.
“I feel like there is hope for a better tomorrow,” she said.
While waiting for the verdict, people chanted antifascist slogans — “Pavlos lives, crush the Nazis,” and “No acquittal for the Nazis” — while the Italian resistance song “Bella Ciao” played in the background.
“It is my duty to be here. I didn’t know Pavlos Fyssas personally but someone else could have also been in his place, it could have been me.”
“We don’t tolerate groups like Golden Dawn — it needs to be condemned,”
— Giannis, a 19-year-old computing student
“We don’t tolerate groups like Golden Dawn — it needs to be condemned,”
— Giannis, a 19-year-old computing student
