Threats, slaps and kicks at the media were the first actions of Golden Dawn members after their release. Upon leaving the court building, Ilias Kasidiaris who is released on bail to the amount of 50,000 euro, kicked a photographer who had turned his back to him and then slapped a camera operator.
The threats continued in the building of the police headquarters in Attica. "Golden Dawn to the end! This must be clear," shouted Ilias Panagiotaros and his colleague in parliament Nikos Michos said, "We will get to the end! You can stop us only with bullets." Then, the three left by taxi.
A message posted on the website of the party a little later states that the three deputies have been released because the judicial authorities had refused to carry out the "political offence" ordered by the government.
At the same time, the party urges its supporters to gather before the court in support of leader Nikos Michaloliakos whose appearance before the investigators had been scheduled for 3:30 pm. Shortly before that, however, it was announced that he would testify after 7:00 pm.
The news that Kasidiaris, Panagiotaros and Michos have been released has provoked significant reactions in the Greek public space. The unanimous decision of the investigators to release them has surprised and enraged many Greeks who hoped that the arrests of leading figures in the party had marked the beginning of the end of the Nazi organization.
According to magistrates, the decision of the investigators and prosecutors involved in the case is no surprise. They argue that the imposition of restrictive measures on the three and the bail for Ilias Kasidiaris proves the presence of sound evidence of their guilt at this stage.
Lawyers believe that two crucial factors had contributed to the preventive detention, namely whether the detainees might escape and if they would commit new crimes. The first option is out of consideration since all three were apprehended by the authorities or had surrendered to them. The second factor, however, is giving rise to different discussions. The comments in social media are in the following vein:
"Do Michos and Panagiotaros’ threats in front of television cameras comply with the conditions of release?".
"The defendants were released after the judicial authorities considered that there is no risk of committing new crimes. And when he was out he kicked a photographer."
The Greek public is concerned about the fact that, as is clear from Ilias Kasidiaris’ testimony, he knows the name of the main witness whose testimony was the basis of the indictment. The authorities had announced that they had provided complete protection for the witness but it turns out that his name is present in the record of the case, which has been submitted to the lawyers of the accused.
According to sources, Kasidiaris had told the investigators that the person in question had joined Golden Dawn after being a member of Independent Greeks. "We are talking about a person with a very low morale. He wanted money and we threw him out of Golden Dawn," he had added.
Another four persons arrested in connection with the case were released late in the afternoon.
Tags: Crime newsIlias KasidiarisAttackJournalistsGolden Dawn
SUPPORT US!
GRReporter’s content is brought to you for free 7 days a week by a team of highly professional journalists, translators, photographers, operators, software developers, designers. If you like and follow our work, consider whether you could support us financially with an amount at your choice.