The Greek government is continuing to build its case against the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, trying to prove it’s a criminal organization and not a political party, and has said that more charges will be added against its lawmakers, including that of trying to bring down the state. democracy.
In a report submitted to Parliament, seeking permission to lift the immunity of the three Golden Dawn MPs Giorgos Germenis, Panagiotis Iliopoulos and Stathis Boukouras, the two magistrates handling the investigation said witness testimonies had revealed that “the purpose of the organization was from the outset and remains to overthrow the democratic system.”
On the basis of new evidence emerging from the testimonies, the magistrates – Spyros Georgouleas and Christos Papacostas – said they would advise public prosecutors to lodge further charges though they did not provide details.
Court sources told the newspaper Kathimerini that it was unlikely any new arrest warrants would be issued in the coming days – following those issued last week for six GD lawmakers including party leader Nikos Michaloliakos – as a Council of Appeals court judges is to convene on Oct. 17 to appoint a higher judge to take over the investigation.
Parliament was to debate whether Golden Dawn MPs being probed should continue receiving state salaries and benefits. The issue of state funding is to be discussed too.
Police have also stepped up their investigation, leading to another wanted party member – a 36-year-old man – turning himself in to authorities. A 32-year-old man who was allegedly a passenger in the car driven by Giorgos Roupakias on the night of the killing of leftist rapper Pavlos Fyssas was given until Oct. 14 to prepare his defense.
Roupakias, who is charged with Fyssas’s murder but claims to have stabbed the rapper in self defense, was scheduled to face a magistrate on Oct. 10.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
