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Investigators Joanna Klappa and Maria Dimitropoulou who are in charge of the case of Golden Dawn have a new scandalous testimony of a former party member, which sheds light on the functioning and operation of the organization.

According to sources, the witness had voluntarily appeared before the judicial authorities and had submitted information on the case of Golden Dawn, not anonymously at that.

The witness in question was a party member, he was a candidate for deputy in 2012, and then subsequently became a research associate in parliament.

A few months ago, he requested to withdraw from Golden Dawn because he disagreed with its methods, as is clear from his testimony that is now part of the voluminous court records of the case.

The main points in the testimony of the former member of Golden Dawn are as follows:

"I was a member of Golden Dawn from 2005 to December 2013. I ran for deputy in the parliamentary elections in May and June 2012. The ideology of Golden Dawn National Union is National Socialism. I became a party member clearly aware of its National Socialism ideology, which I strongly support as well. Golden Dawn fights for the victory of the ideas and principles of National Socialism and for the creation of a National Socialist state following the example of Germany between the two world wars. The ultimate goal is to create a one-party regime under which the state and the party will become one and the former will work under the guidance of the latter. This system was to be established through spreading the party ideas in society and, as far as possible, by penetrating the state institutions, i.e. the police and the army."

Question: What were the methods used to achieve this goal?
 
Answer: "In addition to the usual methods used by all parties, including print and electronic propaganda materials, often violence was the means of achieving the goals. For example, since the state had not undertaken to extradite the immigrants as Golden Dawn wanted, every means that would make their lives hell was permitted, and it was necessary for the good of the nation at that. I have never personally attended a case when there was an explicit order to attack but there was however the common opinion that no action would be taken against us if we attacked foreigners, to the contrary, we would even be commended. Moreover, these attacks were a kind of reward. In order to participate in power operations one should first be included in a core to obtain the support of Golden Dawn senior leaders. The hierarchy is as follows: the regular party member comes first and he or she is subordinated to the local leader; then comes the regional leader and, if he is a member of the Political Council, he is directly subordinated to the leader, if  not, then he is subordinated to one of the members of the Political Council who, in turn, is subordinated to the leader."

Question: What would you say about the statements by leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos and other leading party members that they condemn every form of violence?

Answer: "I think it is ridiculous to even answer that question. This is absolutely hypocritical. Both the swastika and the right hand outstretched in a salute, according to Golden Dawn, are cultural heritage of our country; however, the vast majority of party members, not to say every one of them, know that they are used in a direct relationship with Nazi Germany.

Question: Are these statements valid today, or, as Nikolaos Michaloliakos and Christos Pappas say, are they elements of their youth concepts?

Answer: "All concepts of Golden Dawn at all levels, political, social, etc., have remained unchanged from the creation of the party to this day. A party like Golden Dawn does not change its ideas like handkerchiefs. In June 2013, I submitted to the general secretary my written request to withdraw. Urania Michaloliakou replied by a text message that the general secretary did not want me to withdraw. I enclose a printout from my phone. From that day on, I have become the subject of a relentless psychological attack and started receiving all kinds of threats to my life."

Question: How does Golden Dawn perceive the meaning of the term "leader"?

Answer: In Golden Dawn the faith in the leader goes beyond his personality and passes within the field of metaphysics. This is a cult to the institution of the leader and a demonstration of one’s decision to be entirely dependent on his orders."

Question: Does the leader know the members and control their activity?

Answer: "He has full control in the sense that the people who have the power to organize something are totally loyal to the leader and do not even think to do something beyond his orders, not because of fear of the possible consequences, but because of their absolute loyalty. The people in Golden Dawn are not interested in money and jobs, but in the victory of their idea. The state for us was the party mechanism of Golden Dawn, which is the source of the conviction to fight to change not only the government, but also the political system."