A former leading member of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, Ilias Kasidiaris, has been released from prison and vowed a return to politics.
Kasidiaris was convicted and imprisoned in 2020 as a leading member of the criminal organisation, which for years had been linked to violent attacks on migrants and political opponents, as well as to the murder of anti-fascist musician Pavlos Fyssas in 2013. He served only part of his 13-year sentence.
Leaving prison on Monday, Kasidiaris announced a return to Greek politics, vowing to start a new political movement on Monday.
Dozens of his supporters had gathered outside Domokos prison in central Greece, some were holding Greek flags. The crowd chanted slogans in his favour, including “Ilias, we are with you”.
Kasidiaris addressed supporters upon his release: “I had given you my word that as soon as I passed through this gate I would return to the front line of the national struggle. I see that I am not alone, but that alongside me stands a major national party, like those that dominate in Europe.
My aim is for the country to be rid of the most corrupt government of the post-junta era. In these past days I see the politicians whining and conspiring, saying they will not allow me to return to parliament. But in a democracy there is only one judge, the sovereign Greek people.”
Political career
Kasidiaris became Golden Dawn’s press spokesman in 2012 and later served as an MP for the party until 2019. Golden Dawn caused a political earthquake in Greece in 2012, when it managed to enter parliament amid intense social and economic upheaval brought on by the financial crisis, the erosion of trust in institutions and the discrediting of traditional political parties.
Despite being behind bars, he did not give up political activity. He continued to intervene via social media, mainly through his YouTube channel, which has around 162,000 subscribers.
Before he was imprisoned, in October 2020 Kasidiaris had founded a new political formation, “Greeks”, and even from prison tried to take part in the 2023 parliamentary elections. However, the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) banned his party from standing in the elections.
In 2023, the far-right “Spartans” party won more than 240,000 votes with Kasidiaris’s public backing.
In July this year he found himself in the spotlight after billionaire Elon Musk called the continuation of Kasidiaris’s detention was “confusing” or “wrong”, triggering fresh reactions to the case. Kasidiaris has described Musk as “the most prominent personality in the world”.
Violent past
Kasidiaris has appeared in the headlines over the years after a number of violent incidents. He has been photographed with a swastika tattoo on his left arm and is known for a series of aggressive behaviours.
In 2012, live on television, he slapped Communist Party MP Liana Kanelli and threw a glass of water at an MP from a left-wing party.
He has also been recorded verbally and physically attacking television crews. In a discussion with Golden Dawn supporters in November 2012 he claimed that party members entering parliament were allowed to “carry legally licensed weapons”.
Political future
Legal experts say he is still barred from running for office until 2033, although the Supreme Court would rule on his eligibility at election time. Greece’s next elections are due in 2027.
His release comes at a time when the far right is gaining ground in several European countries. In Germany the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has made significant progress in the polls, including a recent victory in a regional election contest, for the first time since the Second World War.
Additional sources • AFP