A Greek appeals court on Wednesday upheld the convictions of leaders of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party for running a criminal organisation, in a landmark ruling linked to violent attacks during the country’s economic crisis.
Issued on: 04/03/2026 - RFI
A supporter holds a Golden Dawn flag during a demonstration on 29 November 2019. Yannis Behrakis/Reuters
The court confirmed earlier guilty verdicts against dozens of party members over crimes including the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013 and attacks on migrant workers and trade unionists.
More than 40 defendants face possible sentences of up to 15 years in prison, with the presiding judge expected to announce the punishments later on Wednesday.
Golden Dawn rose to prominence during the 2012 debt crisis, when 18 of its members were elected to parliament.
The group became known for violent anti-migrant rhetoric and for so-called “assault battalions” that targeted left-wing activists and minorities.
The turning point came in 2013, when anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas was stabbed to death by party member Giorgos Roupakias.
The court confirmed earlier guilty verdicts against dozens of party members over crimes including the murder of anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas in 2013 and attacks on migrant workers and trade unionists.
More than 40 defendants face possible sentences of up to 15 years in prison, with the presiding judge expected to announce the punishments later on Wednesday.
Golden Dawn rose to prominence during the 2012 debt crisis, when 18 of its members were elected to parliament.
The group became known for violent anti-migrant rhetoric and for so-called “assault battalions” that targeted left-wing activists and minorities.
The turning point came in 2013, when anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas was stabbed to death by party member Giorgos Roupakias.
Reviewing verdicts
In 2020, after a five-year trial, a court convicted party leaders including Nikos Michaloliakos of running a criminal organisation. Members were also found guilty over the attempted murder of Egyptian fishermen in Perama and attacks on trade unionists.
The appeals court is now reviewing those verdicts. The prosecutor has recommended that the convictions be upheld in full and has called for harsher sentences for senior figures including Ilias Kasidiaris and Ioannis Lagos.
The court also confirmed the murder conviction of Giorgos Roupakias for killing Fyssas.
Tension had been building ahead of the decision, with victims’ families led by Fyssas’s mother Magda calling for closure.
More than 200 people gathered outside the Athens court in support of Fyssas during the hearing.
Strike and rallies
The public sector union Adedy has called a strike in the Attica region until 11am. It has urged workers to gather outside the appeals court at 8.30am.
In a statement, the union called for the "Nazi murderers to receive the harshest possible penalties" adding that the "labor movement fights against fascism and the system that breeds it".
The Piraeus Labor Center also urged workers and young people to join the rally. "Only through organised struggle can we crush fascism," it said.
The left-wing opposition party Syriza called for mass participation, saying that "the presence of every democratic citizen is necessary."
In its statement, the party warned of a resurgence of the far-right across Europe and urged citizens to honour the memory of victims including Pavlos Fyssas and migrant worker Sahzat Lukman.
Golden Dawn was once Greece’s third-biggest party, gaining around 400,000 votes at the height of its influence before losing its parliamentary representation in 2019.
(with newswires)
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