Former Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos is set to return to prison following a decision by the Court of Appeals, which nullified an earlier ruling that had allowed his release.
Michaloliakos, who was convicted of leading a criminal organisation, will continue to serve his 13-year and 6-month sentence.
The judges reviewing the case accepted the prosecutor’s recommendation and decided that Michaloliakos must remain in prison.
The initial sentence was handed down by the Three-Member Felony Court of Appeal of Athens, which ruled that Golden Dawn is a criminal organisation and Michaloliakos held a leading role within it.
The Judicial Council of Lamia had previously granted Michaloliakos a conditional release, despite the prosecutor’s opposition. The conditions included restrictions such as a travel ban outside of Attica, a ban on leaving the country, and a prohibition on meeting with co-defendants.
However, the Court of Appeals, agreeing with the prosecutor, found that Michaloliakos continued to glorify the illegal Nazi-type practices of Golden Dawn in his online writings, despite his trial and conviction.
This indicated that he remains unrepentant and poses a risk of committing further offences.
Following this development, the earlier verdict is overturned, Michaloliakos’ conviction is reinstated, and he will return to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
(information from in.gr)Golden Dawn leader return. Golden Dawn, Nikos Michaloliakos, prison
