The long-awaited Golden Dawn trial is set to begin on Monday in a specially-designed courthouse in the Korydallos prison facility, amid demonstrations, from anti-fascists and local residents over the trial’s location. A total of 69 defendants will stand trial, including all of the neo-Nazi party’s MPs who were elected in the 2012 elections, who will be represented by about 100-150 lawyers, while more than 130 witnesses are expected to testify.
The investigation against Golden Dawn began shortly after the September 2013 murder of anti-racist activist and rapper Pavlos Fyssas by Golden Dawn member Giorgos Roupakias. The public prosecutor has argued that Golden Dawn is a criminal organization, acting under the guise of a political party, with militia characteristics and no hesitation to break the law.
Meanwhile, a number of anti-fascist groups and local residents have organized demonstrations outside the Korydallos prison facility where the trial will take place. The local residents want the trial to be moved elsewhere, as there are 11 schools in the area around the prison facility and they fear that safety will not be secured.
Public sector trade union ADEDY has called a four-hour work stoppage in Attica (between 7:30 and 11:30), so that its members can attend the protests, which are also supported by the nationwide federation of local government employees (POE-OTA) and merchant navy unions, among others.
The mayor of Korydallos has decided to shut down the schools and municipal services for today in protest of the trial and has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, calling him to provide a solution to this very serious matter. The mayor underlines that the prison facility is not a suitable venue for what he calls “the most serious trial since the restoration of Democracy” and the fears for the safety of local residents and students.
