Galery

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The Greek neo-Nazis had attracted the attention of the security services a long time ago, as revealed by a secret report of the Counterintelligence Service. The report refers to deputy Yiannis Lagos who supervised the activities of the members of Golden Dawn’s local branch in the suburb of Nikea and who had organized the murder of rap singer Pavlos Fyssas.

The report published today by "Ta Nea" newspaper describes Lagos as a "person involved in versatile criminal activities" and states that he was repeatedly captured and taken to police stations in Athens and Thessaloniki.

Weapon trafficking, racketeering, guarding of nightclubs, procuring and illegally carrying a weapon are the most arrant activities of the deputy. According to the report, the intelligence service officers had warned the other competent authorities of his activities before Golden Dawn had entered parliament.

The report also states, "Lagos has perverse inclinations, including sexual fantasies and acts with underage girls." In particular, he had sent messages with erotic content to young women whom he had liked. The secret text contains the name of a specific woman who is the victim of harassment by the detained deputy.

The other detained members of Golden Dawn testified before the investigator today, Ilias Kasidiaris, defined as the head of operations of the criminal organization, being the first to face him. Kasidiaris denied all charges, stated that he was a victim of political persecution and said that the only role he played in Golden Dawn was that of a party spokesman.

Three other lower-ranking members of Golden Dawn had testified earlier. Two of them were released after being subject to restrictive measures. The other three members, namely Ilias Panagiotaros, Yiannis Lagos and Nikos Michos, were taken to court along with Kasidiaris. Supporters of the party had gathered outside the court and when they saw the prisoners they began shouting "We are here" and "Heroes, heroes", and applauded them. Then, Ilias Panagiotaros responded to them, "We are as pure as crystals".

In the course of the investigation of Golden Dawn’s relations with the police, members of the Internal Affairs Department arrested a policeman, aged 55, who had been assigned as George Germenis’ security guard. The charges against the policemen include counterfeiting, forgery of documents, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, and a breach of the National Code of Customs.

He is the fifth policeman - security guard of a deputy of Golden Dawn who will be brought to justice. A member of the security of deputy Efstathios Boukouras had been arrested earlier today and two members of the security of party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and a guard of deputy Panagiotis Iliopoulous on Monday.

At the same time, the investigating authorities continue to search for the weapons used by the Golden Dawners during the training of the members of the organization. They are seeking the hiding places at sites associated with the activities of the organization throughout Attica.

In parallel, members of the Economic Police are inspecting the bank accounts of members of Golden Dawn in order for them to find deposits and money transfers of dubious origin.