Greece's Far-Right Golden Dawn Leader Granted Early Release from Prison

Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the head of Greece's extreme far-right Golden Dawn party, was granted conditional early release from prison on Thursday after serving part of his sentence for leading a criminal organization responsible for violent hate crimes.

Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the head of Greece's extreme far-right Golden Dawn party, was granted conditional early release from prison on Thursday after serving part of his sentence for leading a criminal organization responsible for violent hate crimes.

A council of judges accepted the request by Michaloliakos, 66, who had served the minimal legal requirement for early release. The decision also took into consideration that he was aged over 65, which increases the time he is formally considered to have served. He is in poor health and spent 18 months in pre-trial detention.

Restrictions imposed on him include a ban on traveling outside the greater Athens region.

Michaloliakos and five other former Golden Dawn lawmakers were convicted in October 2020 of running a criminal organization and sentenced to 13 years in prison. Other party members received lesser sentences, following a five-year trial.

Golden Dawn was founded as a Nazi-inspired group in the 1980s and rose to become Greece's third-largest political party during most of the country's 2010-2018 financial crisis. Its support later declined, and the party failed to enter parliament post-crisis.

The crackdown on the party followed the 2013 fatal stabbing of a left-wing musician in Athens, for which a Golden Dawn associate was given a life sentence.

Greek political parties and the family of the slain musician expressed dismay at Thursday's decision.

Michaloliakos' release comes at a time of heightened concern over the rise of far-right extremism in Europe and beyond. In recent years, far-right groups have been linked to a number of violent attacks, including the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand and the 2022 Buffalo supermarket shooting in the United States.

The early release of Michaloliakos has raised fears that it could embolden far-right extremists in Greece and other countries. However, it is also important to note that Michaloliakos is not a free man. He is still subject to a number of restrictions, and he could be returned to prison if he violates the terms of his release.

The decision to grant Michaloliakos early release is a complex one that raises important questions about the balance between justice and rehabilitation. While it is understandable that the victims of Golden Dawn's crimes may be outraged by the decision, it is also important to remember that Michaloliakos has served a substantial portion of his sentence and that he is in poor health.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to grant Michaloliakos early release is one that must be made by the Greek judiciary. It is a decision that will be closely watched by both those who fear the rise of far-right extremism and those who believe that Michaloliakos has served his time and deserves a second chance.