Greek justice system investigating Golden Dawn as a criminal organization

The Greek justice system has begun collecting evidence against the neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn that could lead to it being charged as a criminal organization. The impetus for this step was the murder last week of a left-wing activist who was also a popular singer, allegedly committed by a neo-Nazi extremist.

According to the most recent public opinion polls, Golden Dawn has lost supporters since the murder. According to the Greek press today, Supreme Court Justice Efterpi Gutsamani, who is in charge of the investigation, filed a motion on Sunday to reopen investigations of crimes previously committed by Golden Dawn members.  

The cases particularly concern attacks against the members of various minorities, whether gay people or immigrants. However, Golden Dawn members or their sympathizers have often been assaulting basically anyone who openly expresses a different opinion to theirs.

The Greek press has also published a series of photographs showing the neo-Nazis organizing themselves into fighting squads for street battles, most often dressed in black t-shirts and camouflage and armed with either bats or truncheons wrapped in Greek flags. Authorities have arrested the alleged murderer in connection with last week’s homicide as well as at least eight members or sympathizers of the ultra-right Golden Dawn who are also linked to the crime. 

The Greek press has also published a photograph of the alleged perpetrator embracing an MP from the anti-immigrant party. For its part, the party, represented in parliament by 20 legislators, is officially denying any connection with the murder. 

Numerous photographs have documented that the alleged murderer has participated in party activities. According to a public opinion poll published today by the newspaper Eleftheros Typos, only 5.8 % of voters would support Golden Dawn today; before the murder, 8.3 % of those surveyed had said they would vote for the party.

The daily Ethnos reports that the neo-Nazis’ support has fallen from 8.5 % to 7 %. Even so, the ultra-right party remains the third-strongest in the country after the governing conservatives and the left opposition.

According to 77 % of those surveyed, the state should intervene against the "criminal activity" of Golden Dawn. Almost 58 % of respondents are of the opinion that democracy in Greece is at risk because of the neo-Nazis.