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| ''Chrysi Avyi'' is also the name of a newspaper and a magazine published by the organization. | ''Chrysi Avyi'' is also the name of a newspaper and a magazine published by the organization. | ||
| Golden Dawn ceased political operations in 2005, and it was absorbed by the ], which ceased operations after Michaloliakos withdrew support. In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress, where Party officials announced the resumption of their political activism. At ] on November 7, 2010 Golden Dawn got 5,3% of the vote in the municipality of Athens, wining a seat at the City Council. In some neighbourhoods with big immigrant communities it even reached 20%.<ref name="NYCtimes"></ref> | Golden Dawn ceased political operations in 2005, and it was absorbed by the ], which ceased operations after Michaloliakos withdrew support. In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress, where Party officials announced the resumption of their political activism. At ] on November 7, 2010 Golden Dawn got 5,3% of the vote in the municipality of Athens, wining a seat at the City Council. In some neighbourhoods with big immigrant communities it even reached 20%.<ref name="NYCtimes">Kitsantonis, Niki. (2010-12-01) . Nytimes.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> | ||
| Golden Dawn described itself as a "Popular Nationalist Movement" and "uncompromising Nationalists."<ref name="MichaloliakosInterview">2006 interview of Michaloliakos published in ''Elevtheros Kosmos'' newspaper.</ref> Michaloliakos described Golden Dawn as opposing the "so-called ]" and the ], while supporting ].<ref name="MichaloliakosInterview"/><ref name="IosHist"/> According to the Party's charter, "only ] in blood and ] in descent can be candidate members of Golden Dawn".<ref name="IosHist"/> The charter also puts the leader in total control of the party, and formalizes the use of the ] for party members.<ref name="IosHist"/> At first, the party embraced ] beliefs, believing them to be intermingled with National Socialism in accordance to ], describing Marxism and ] as "the ideological carriers of ]ity."<ref name="ReligionXA">''Our Ideology: God Religion'' (''Η Ιδεολογία Μας: Θεός-θρησκεία''), Golden Dawn's newspaper, issue 57, October 1990</ref> Later, however, the party underwent ideological changes, tolerating ].<ref name="Ios2000"> in Eleftherotypia (in Greek)</ref> | Golden Dawn described itself as a "Popular Nationalist Movement" and "uncompromising Nationalists."<ref name="MichaloliakosInterview">2006 interview of Michaloliakos published in ''Elevtheros Kosmos'' newspaper.</ref> Michaloliakos described Golden Dawn as opposing the "so-called ]" and the ], while supporting ].<ref name="MichaloliakosInterview"/><ref name="IosHist"/> According to the Party's charter, "only ] in blood and ] in descent can be candidate members of Golden Dawn".<ref name="IosHist"/> The charter also puts the leader in total control of the party, and formalizes the use of the ] for party members.<ref name="IosHist"/> At first, the party embraced ] beliefs, believing them to be intermingled with National Socialism in accordance to ], describing Marxism and ] as "the ideological carriers of ]ity."<ref name="ReligionXA">''Our Ideology: God Religion'' (''Η Ιδεολογία Μας: Θεός-θρησκεία''), Golden Dawn's newspaper, issue 57, October 1990</ref> Later, however, the party underwent ideological changes, tolerating ].<ref name="Ios2000">. Eleftherotypia 18/6/2000 (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| The Party's symbol is a red flag bearing a black ] pattern with white trim. Other symbols adopted by Chrysi Avyi members are the ], the ] and the ]. | The Party's symbol is a red flag bearing a black ] pattern with white trim. Other symbols adopted by Chrysi Avyi members are the ], the ] and the ]. | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
| {{Neo-Fascism}} | {{Neo-Fascism}} | ||
| In December 1980, ], and a group of his supporters launched ''Chrysi Avyi'' magazine. Michaloliakos (a mathematician and former commando) had been active in ] politics for many years, and he had been arrested several times for politically-motivated offences.<ref name="IosHist"> |
In December 1980, ], and a group of his supporters launched ''Chrysi Avyi'' magazine. Michaloliakos (a mathematician and former commando) had been active in ] politics for many years, and he had been arrested several times for politically-motivated offences.<ref name="IosHist"> ] 2/07/1998 (in Greek)</ref><ref name="Vima"> ] 11/9/2005</ref><ref name="Michaloliakos"> published on Golden Dawn's website.</ref> While he was in prison, Michaloliakos met the leaders of the ], and he laid the foundations of the Hrisi Avgi party.<ref name="Vima"/> The characteristics of the magazine and the organisation were clearly ].<ref name="IosHist"/> ''Chrysi Avyi'' magazine stopped being published in April 1984, when Michaloliakos joined the ] and took over the leadership of its youth section.<ref name="Vima"/> In January 1985, he broke away from the National Political Union and founded the Popular National Movement – Chrysi Avyi, which was officially recognised as a political party in 1993.<ref name="Vima"/> | ||
| Golden Dawn remained largely on the margins of far right politics until the ] in 1991 and 1992.<ref name="IosHist"/> The left-leaning newspaper '']'' reported that on October 10, 1992, about thirty Golden Dawn members attacked ] students at the ] during a massive demonstration against the usage of the name ''Macedonia'' by the ].<ref name="IosASOEE"> |
Golden Dawn remained largely on the margins of far right politics until the ] in 1991 and 1992.<ref name="IosHist"/> The left-leaning newspaper '']'' reported that on October 10, 1992, about thirty Golden Dawn members attacked ] students at the ] during a massive demonstration against the usage of the name ''Macedonia'' by the ].<ref name="IosASOEE">. ]. 27/9/1998 (in Greek)</ref> Around the same time, the first far right street ]s appeared under the leadership of ], a former military officer who was involved with the ] ] (AWB) during the 1980s.<ref name="IosHist"/> After the events of 1991 and 1992, Golden Dawn had gained a stable membership of more than 200 members, and Giannopoulos rose within the party hierarchy.<ref name="IosHist"/> Golden Dawn ran in the ], gaining 7.264 votes nationwide; 0.11% of the votes cast.<ref name="NIGMA"> about Golden Dawn. (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| A few Golden Dawn members participated in the ] in the ] (GVG), which was part of the ] of the ]. A few GVG volunteers were present in ] during the ], and they raised a ] at a ruined church after the fall of the town.<ref name="Michas">Michas, Takis;"Unholy Alliance", ] Press: Eastern European Studies (College Station, Tex.) pp. 22 </ref> Spiros Tzanopoulos, a GVG sergeant who took part in the attack against Srebrenica, said many of the Greek volunteers participated in the war because they were members of Golden Dawn.<ref name="srebr"> in Eleftherotypia. (in Greek)</ref> Golden Dawn members in the GVG were decorated by ], but — according to former Golden Dawn member Charis Kousoumvris — those who were decorated later left the party.<ref name="srebr"/> | A few Golden Dawn members participated in the ] in the ] (GVG), which was part of the ] of the ]. A few GVG volunteers were present in ] during the ], and they raised a ] at a ruined church after the fall of the town.<ref name="Michas">Michas, Takis;"Unholy Alliance", ] Press: Eastern European Studies (College Station, Tex.) pp. 22 </ref> Spiros Tzanopoulos, a GVG sergeant who took part in the attack against Srebrenica, said many of the Greek volunteers participated in the war because they were members of Golden Dawn.<ref name="srebr"> Eleftherotypia 16/07/2005 (in Greek)</ref> Golden Dawn members in the GVG were decorated by ], but — according to former Golden Dawn member Charis Kousoumvris — those who were decorated later left the party.<ref name="srebr"/> | ||
| In April 1996, Giannopoulos represented the party at a pan-European convention of nationalist parties in ], where he presented a bust of ] to ] leader ] for his birthday.<ref name="IosHist" |
In April 1996, Giannopoulos represented the party at a pan-European convention of nationalist parties in ], where he presented a bust of ] to ] leader ] for his birthday.<ref name="IosHist"/> Golden Dawn participated in the ] in September, receiving 4,487 votes nationwide; 0.07% of the votes cast.<ref name="1996elections"> of the 1996 legislative election.</ref> In October 1997, Giannopoulos published an article in ''Chrysi Avyi'' magazine calling for nationalist ] against ] and left wingers.<ref name="IosGiannopoulos">1998 article in ].</ref> In 1998, a prominent party member, Antonios Androutsopoulos, assaulted left wing student activist Dimitris Kousouris. The resulting media attention, along with internal party conflicts (due to poor results in the 1996 elections), led some of its most extreme members (such as Giannopoulos) to gradually fade from official party affairs.<ref name="IosHist"/> | ||
| Golden Dawn continued to hold rallies and marches, and it ran in the ] in an alliance with the ] party, gaining 48,532 votes nationwide; 0.75% of the votes cast.<ref name="IosHist"/><ref name="HAelections">, ] information on the 1999 elections.</ref> Eleftherotypia criticicized Chrysi Avyi in 2005 after party members distributed ] fliers during an Athens ].<ref name="gayParade2006"> in ]</ref> | Golden Dawn continued to hold rallies and marches, and it ran in the ] in an alliance with the ] party, gaining 48,532 votes nationwide; 0.75% of the votes cast.<ref name="IosHist"/><ref name="HAelections">, ] information on the 1999 elections.</ref> Eleftherotypia criticicized Chrysi Avyi in 2005 after party members distributed ] fliers during an Athens ].<ref name="gayParade2006"> in ] {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> | ||
| ===2005 and later=== | ===2005 and later=== | ||
| According to Golden Dawn's leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the party paused its own autonomous political activities after December 1, 2005, due to clashes with ].<ref name="Ingr"> |
According to Golden Dawn's leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the party paused its own autonomous political activities after December 1, 2005, due to clashes with ].<ref name="Ingr"> www.in.gr. 01/12/05 (in Greek)</ref> Golden Dawn members had been instructed to continue their activism within the ] party, which was very closely linked to Golden Dawn.<ref name="ENF_disbandment">, European National Front website</ref><ref name="HApatris">, stating that "those who contributed mostly in our political campaign were the youth of Golden Dawn".</ref> The former leader of Patriotic Alliance, ], was once a member of Golden Dawn's political council, and Michaloliakos became a leading member of Patriotic Alliance.<ref name="Vima"> from ].</ref> Anti-fascist groups had accused the Patriotic Alliance of simply being the new name of Golden Dawn.<ref name="HApatrisIos"> in Eleftherotypia.</ref> Activities by Patriotic Alliance's members were often attributed to Golden Dawn (even by themselves), creating confusion.<ref name="HApatris"/> This is the main reason Golden Dawn's members announced the withdrawal of their support of the Patriotic Alliance, which eventually led to the interruption of Golden Dawn's political activities.<ref name="PATRISdisbandment"> the withdrawal of their support to Patriotic Alliance.</ref><ref name="IndymediaPATRIS">, in ].</ref> | ||
| In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress and announced the continuation of their political and ideological activism.<ref name="mun. El .">. (in Greek)</ref> As of 2010, Golden Dawn's newspaper and magazine continue to be published, and the organisation's website is being updated.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} | In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress and announced the continuation of their political and ideological activism.<ref name="mun. El .">. (in Greek)</ref> As of 2010, Golden Dawn's newspaper and magazine continue to be published, and the organisation's website is being updated.{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}} | ||
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| ==Activities== | ==Activities== | ||
| ].]] | ].]] | ||
| Golden Dawn claimed to have local organisations in 32 Greek cities, as well as in ].<ref name="HAactivities"> in newspaper ], about Chrysi Avyi's activities. (in Greek)</ref> | Golden Dawn claimed to have local organisations in 32 Greek cities, as well as in ].<ref name="HAactivities"> in newspaper ], about Chrysi Avyi's activities. (in Greek) {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> | ||
| The party created the ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis'' (''Committee of National Memory''), to organise demonstrations commemorating the anniversaries of certain Greek national events. Since 1996, ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis'' organizes an annual march usually on January 31 in ], in memory of three Greek officers who died during the ]. According to the ] website, the 2006 march was attended by 2,500 people, although no neutral sources have confirmed that number. ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis'' has continued its activities, and the January 31 March took place in January 2010 where even more than 5.000 party members took part at the demonstration.<ref name="ImiaMarch2006"> from the ] website.</ref><ref name="Imia"></ref> | The party created the ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis'' (''Committee of National Memory''), to organise demonstrations commemorating the anniversaries of certain Greek national events. Since 1996, ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis'' organizes an annual march usually on January 31 in ], in memory of three Greek officers who died during the ]. According to the ] website, the 2006 march was attended by 2,500 people, although no neutral sources have confirmed that number. ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis'' has continued its activities, and the January 31 March took place in January 2010 where even more than 5.000 party members took part at the demonstration.<ref name="ImiaMarch2006"> from the ] website.</ref><ref name="Imia">. Xrushaugh.org (2010-02-26). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> | ||
| ''Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis'' has organized annual rallies on June 17 in ], in memory of ].<ref name="48arrested"> from the European National Front website</ref> Police confronted the 2006 rally participants, forcing Golden Dawn and Patriotic Alliance members to leave the area, while anti-fascist and leftist groups took over the square where the nationalist event was supposed to take place, causing damage and vandalisms.<ref name="48arrested"> from the European National Front website</ref><ref name="Thessalia"> |
''Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis'' has organized annual rallies on June 17 in ], in memory of ].<ref name="48arrested"> from the European National Front website</ref> Police confronted the 2006 rally participants, forcing Golden Dawn and Patriotic Alliance members to leave the area, while anti-fascist and leftist groups took over the square where the nationalist event was supposed to take place, causing damage and vandalisms.<ref name="48arrested"> from the European National Front website</ref><ref name="Thessalia"> Thessalia 18/6/06 (in Greek)</ref> Later that day, Golden Dawn members gathered in the building of ] ] channel ] and protesting they tried to stop the channel from broadcasting.<ref name="Thessalia"/> Police surrounded the building and arrested 48 Hrisi Avgi members.<ref name="48arrested"/><ref name="Thessalia"/> According to a Golden Dawn press release, those members were carrying Greek national flags which in court were considered to be "arms" and so they were found guilty of carrying them. They were condemned up to six and seven months imprisonment with suspension and were also fined €500.<ref name="HApress"> (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| In September 2005, Golden Dawn attempted to organise a festival called ''"Eurofest 2005 |
In September 2005, Golden Dawn attempted to organise a festival called ''"Eurofest 2005 – Nationalist Summer Camp"'' at the grounds of a Greek summer camp. The planned festival depended on the participation of the German ], the Italian ] and the Romanian ], as well as Spanish and American neo-Nazi groups. The festival was banned by the government, largely because of the reaction of anti-fascist groups.<ref name="In.grEurofest"> in.gr 22/12/06 (in Greek)</ref><ref name="XApress"> (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| In June 2007, Golden Dawn sent representatives to protest the ] convention in Germany, together with the ] and other European neo-Nazi organisations.<ref name=" Hrisi Avgi’s anti globalisation attendance against G8 convention in Germany"> Golden Dawn’s anti globalisation attendance against G8 convention in Germany (in Greek)</ref> | In June 2007, Golden Dawn sent representatives to protest the ] convention in Germany, together with the ] and other European neo-Nazi organisations.<ref name=" Hrisi Avgi’s anti globalisation attendance against G8 convention in Germany"> Golden Dawn’s anti globalisation attendance against G8 convention in Germany (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| In May 2009, Golden Dawn took part in the European Elections receiving 23,564 votes corresponding to 0.46% of the total votes.<ref>http://ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu/e2009/pages/index.html</ref> | In May 2009, Golden Dawn took part in the European Elections receiving 23,564 votes corresponding to 0.46% of the total votes.<ref>. Ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> | ||
| ===Youth Front=== | ===Youth Front=== | ||
| Golden Dawn's Youth Front has distributed fliers with nationalist messages in ] schools and organised ]. It publishes the ] magazine ''Resistance Hellas-Antepithesi'', which promotes ] to young people through articles related to music and sports. The magazine is a sister publication of the ]-based ] '']'' magazine.<ref></ref> The collaboration between ] ] and American ] began in 2001, after National Alliance founder ] visited Thessalonica, Greece. Pierce's successor, ], ratified the collaboration after Pierce's death. | Golden Dawn's Youth Front has distributed fliers with nationalist messages in ] schools and organised ]. It publishes the ] magazine ''Resistance Hellas-Antepithesi'', which promotes ] to young people through articles related to music and sports. The magazine is a sister publication of the ]-based ] '']'' magazine.<ref>. Natall.com (2006-03-04). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> The collaboration between ] ] and American ] began in 2001, after National Alliance founder ] visited Thessalonica, Greece. Pierce's successor, ], ratified the collaboration after Pierce's death. | ||
| ==Violence by and against Golden Dawn== | ==Violence by and against Golden Dawn== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| Members of Golden Dawn have been accused of carrying out acts of violence and ]s against illegal immigrants, political opponents and ].<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"> about attacks by Golden Dawn. (in Greek)</ref> Golden Dawn's offices have been attacked many times by ] and ].<ref name="XApress"/><ref name="Ingr20.11"> |
Members of Golden Dawn have been accused of carrying out acts of violence and ]s against illegal immigrants, political opponents and ].<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"> about attacks by Golden Dawn. (in Greek)</ref> Golden Dawn's offices have been attacked many times by ] and ].<ref name="XApress"/><ref name="Ingr20.11"> in.gr 20/11/05 (in Greek)</ref> Clashes between members of Golden Dawn and anti-fascists have not been unusual.<ref name="Ingr17.09"> in.gr 17/09/05 (in Greek)</ref> | ||
| In January 1998, Alexis Kalofolias, vocalist of the band ], was attacked and suffered permanent damage to his right eye, losing 2% of his eyesight.<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"/><ref name="KLIK">(in Greek)</ref> ''KLIK'' magazine and left wing newspaper ] reported that members of Golden Dawn were responsible for the attack.<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"/><ref name="KLIK"/> | In January 1998, Alexis Kalofolias, vocalist of the band ], was attacked and suffered permanent damage to his right eye, losing 2% of his eyesight.<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"/><ref name="KLIK">(in Greek)</ref> ''KLIK'' magazine and left wing newspaper ] reported that members of Golden Dawn were responsible for the attack.<ref name="Ios1.2.1998"/><ref name="KLIK"/> | ||
| In 2000, unknown suspects vandalized the Monastirioton ], a memorial for ] victims and Jewish cemeteries in Thessaloniki and ].<ref name="JewVandalism"></ref> According to anti-fascist groups, Hrisi Avgi's symbols were present at all four sites.<ref name="JewVandalism"/> The ''KIS'', the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, the ], the ] and others issued statements condemning these acts.<ref name="KISnews"> (in Greek). Also contains photographs of the desecrations.</ref><ref name="GHM"> (in Greek)</ref> The Cyprus chapter of Hrisi Avgi has been accused of attacks against ], and one member was arrested for attacking Turkish-Cypriots in 2005.<ref name="Cyprus"></ref> | In 2000, unknown suspects vandalized the Monastirioton ], a memorial for ] victims and Jewish cemeteries in Thessaloniki and ].<ref name="JewVandalism">. Ce-review.org. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> According to anti-fascist groups, Hrisi Avgi's symbols were present at all four sites.<ref name="JewVandalism"/> The ''KIS'', the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, the ], the ] and others issued statements condemning these acts.<ref name="KISnews"> (in Greek). Also contains photographs of the desecrations.</ref><ref name="GHM"> (in Greek)</ref> The Cyprus chapter of Hrisi Avgi has been accused of attacks against ], and one member was arrested for attacking Turkish-Cypriots in 2005.<ref name="Cyprus">{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> | ||
| In November 2005, Golden Dawn's offices were attacked by a group of Anarchists with ]s and stones. Unknown perpetrators responded to the anti-fascists with gunshots, and two people (who testified that they were just passing by) were injured.<ref name="Ingr20.11" |
In November 2005, Golden Dawn's offices were attacked by a group of Anarchists with ]s and stones. Unknown perpetrators responded to the anti-fascists with gunshots, and two people (who testified that they were just passing by) were injured.<ref name="Ingr20.11"/> According to Golden Dawn, three suspects were arrested and set free.<ref name="XApress"/> During the subsequent police investigation, ]s left overs were discovered in Golden Dawn's offices.<ref name="Ingr20.11"/> Golden Dawn has stated that this was the reason for the organisation's disbandment.<ref name="Ingr"/><ref name="ENF_disbandment">, European National Front website</ref> | ||
| In June 2006, three members of Golden Dawn were attacked and severely injured by anarchists in ], ].<ref name="ENF32">, European National Front website</ref><ref name="XApress2">, contains an article from a Greek mainstream newspaper, Vradini. (in Greek)</ref> One of them ended up in a coma for three weeks. | In June 2006, three members of Golden Dawn were attacked and severely injured by anarchists in ], ].<ref name="ENF32">, European National Front website</ref><ref name="XApress2">, contains an article from a Greek mainstream newspaper, Vradini. (in Greek)</ref> One of them ended up in a coma for three weeks. | ||
| ===Football hooliganism=== | ===Football hooliganism=== | ||
| In 2000, Golden Dawn members formed the ] ''Galazia Stratia'' (Greek for "Blue Army"), which has described itself as a "fan club of the Greek national teams." It has been reported that following Golden Dawn's official disbandment in 2005, many former party members have put most of their energy into promoting ''Galazia Stratia''.<ref name="Mundohooligans"> in Eleftherotypia (in Greek)</ref> ''Galazia Stratia'' is closely linked to Golden Dawn, and the two groups shared the same street address.<ref name="NaziHooligan">, ''Eleftherotypia 1/12/2001''</ref> Golden Dawn made no attempt to deny the connections, openly praising the actions of ''Galazia Stratia'' in its newspaper, and accepting praise in return from the firm.<ref name="GSthanksHA"></ref> | In 2000, Golden Dawn members formed the ] ''Galazia Stratia'' (Greek for "Blue Army"), which has described itself as a "fan club of the Greek national teams." It has been reported that following Golden Dawn's official disbandment in 2005, many former party members have put most of their energy into promoting ''Galazia Stratia''.<ref name="Mundohooligans"> Eleftherotypia 10/9/2006 (in Greek)</ref> ''Galazia Stratia'' is closely linked to Golden Dawn, and the two groups shared the same street address.<ref name="NaziHooligan">, ''Eleftherotypia 1/12/2001''</ref> Golden Dawn made no attempt to deny the connections, openly praising the actions of ''Galazia Stratia'' in its newspaper, and accepting praise in return from the firm.<ref name="GSthanksHA">. Meandros.net. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> | ||
| ''Galazia Stratia'' and Golden Dawn have been accused of various acts of sports-related violence.<ref name="NaziHooligan"/><ref name="Hooliganism"></ref> In September 2004, after a football match between Greece and ] in ] (in which Greece lost |
''Galazia Stratia'' and Golden Dawn have been accused of various acts of sports-related violence.<ref name="NaziHooligan"/><ref name="Hooliganism">. Hippolytic.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> In September 2004, after a football match between Greece and ] in ] (in which Greece lost 2–1), Albanian hooligans set fire on a Greek flag, and violence erupted against Albanian immigrants in various parts of Greece. Anti-fascist groups held Golden Dawn and ''Galazia Stratia'' directly responsible for the attacks.<ref name="Hooliganism"/> According to ''Eleftherotypia'', ''Galazia Stratia'' members severely beat a ] and a ]i during celebrations following the success of the ] at the ].<ref name="Mundohooligans"/> | ||
| ===The ''Periandros'' case=== | ===The ''Periandros'' case=== | ||
| Antonios Androutsopoulos (better known as ''Periandros''), a prominent member of Golden Dawn, was on the run from 1998 to September 14, 2005 after being accused of the June 16, 1998 attempted murder of three left-wing students — including Dimitris Kousouris, who was heavily injured.<ref name="TaNea"> in ] (in Greek)</ref><ref name="Kathimerini"> |
Antonios Androutsopoulos (better known as ''Periandros''), a prominent member of Golden Dawn, was on the run from 1998 to September 14, 2005 after being accused of the June 16, 1998 attempted murder of three left-wing students — including Dimitris Kousouris, who was heavily injured.<ref name="TaNea"> in ] (in Greek) {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref><ref name="Kathimerini"> ]. 14/09/2005</ref><ref name="Eleftherotypia"> ] 14/09/2005 (in Greek)</ref> Androutsopoulos had been sentenced ] to four years of prison for illegal weapon possession while the attempted murder charges against him were still standing.<ref name="Kathimerini2"> in ] (in Greek) {{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> | ||
| The authorities' failure to apprehend Androutsopoulos for seven years raised criticisms by the Greek media. A '']'' article claimed that Periandros remained in Greece and evaded arrest due to connections with the police.<ref name="TaNea"/> In a 2004 interview, ], the former minister of public order of ], claimed that such accusations were unfounded, and he blamed the inefficiency of the Greek police. Some allege that Androutsopoulos had evaded arrest because he had been residing in ] until he turned himself in 2005.<ref name="Kathimerini3"> |
The authorities' failure to apprehend Androutsopoulos for seven years raised criticisms by the Greek media. A '']'' article claimed that Periandros remained in Greece and evaded arrest due to connections with the police.<ref name="TaNea"/> In a 2004 interview, ], the former minister of public order of ], claimed that such accusations were unfounded, and he blamed the inefficiency of the Greek police. Some allege that Androutsopoulos had evaded arrest because he had been residing in ] until he turned himself in 2005.<ref name="Kathimerini3"> ] 14/09/2005 (in Greek)</ref> His trial began on September 20, 2006, and he was convicted to 21 years in prison on September 25, 2006.<ref name="PeriConvElefth"> Eleftherotypia 29/09/06 (in Greek)</ref><ref name="PeriConv06"> in.gr 25/09/06 (in Greek)</ref> Hrisi Avgi members were present in his trial, shouting nationalist slogans.<ref name="PeriConvElefth"/> | ||
| ===Imia 2008=== | ===Imia 2008=== | ||
| On February 2, 2008, Golden Dawn planned to hold the annual march for the twelfth anniversary of the Imia military crisis. Leftist and anti-fascist groups organised a protest in order to cancel the march, as a response to racist attacks, supposedly caused by Golden Dawn members. Golden Dawn members occupied the square in which the march was to take place, and when anti-fascists showed up, clashes occurred. During the riots that followed, Golden Dawn members were seen attacking the anti-fascists with riot police doing nothing to stop them and actually letting them pass through their lines. This led to two people being wounded by knife and another two wounded by rocks. Anti-fascists claimed that Chrysi Avyi members even carried police equipment with them and that Golden Dawn's equipment was carried inside a police van.<ref> 2008/02/03</ref><ref> 2008/02/04 (In Greek)</ref> The march was canceled and Golden Dawn issued a statement, responding to accusations of cooperation with the ], claiming that it was actually the anti-fascists who were collaborating with the police, since it was the anarchists and anti-Fascists that originally attacked the square where the Golden Dawn members were present, without anyone trying to stop them and in the night riots that followed, no arrest was made despite the damage caused by anarchists and anti-fascists.<ref> 2008/02/03</ref> | On February 2, 2008, Golden Dawn planned to hold the annual march for the twelfth anniversary of the Imia military crisis. Leftist and anti-fascist groups organised a protest in order to cancel the march, as a response to racist attacks, supposedly caused by Golden Dawn members. Golden Dawn members occupied the square in which the march was to take place, and when anti-fascists showed up, clashes occurred. During the riots that followed, Golden Dawn members were seen attacking the anti-fascists with riot police doing nothing to stop them and actually letting them pass through their lines. This led to two people being wounded by knife and another two wounded by rocks. Anti-fascists claimed that Chrysi Avyi members even carried police equipment with them and that Golden Dawn's equipment was carried inside a police van.<ref> 2008/02/03</ref><ref> Eleftherotypia 2008/02/04 (In Greek)</ref> The march was canceled and Golden Dawn issued a statement, responding to accusations of cooperation with the ], claiming that it was actually the anti-fascists who were collaborating with the police, since it was the anarchists and anti-Fascists that originally attacked the square where the Golden Dawn members were present, without anyone trying to stop them and in the night riots that followed, no arrest was made despite the damage caused by anarchists and anti-fascists.<ref> Chrysi Avyi press release. 2008/02/03</ref> | ||
| Also it is claimed that police turned on the anarchists in the end, after anarchists threw rocks at the police, hence why Golden Dawn followed the police from behind towards the anarchists. | Also it is claimed that police turned on the anarchists in the end, after anarchists threw rocks at the police, hence why Golden Dawn followed the police from behind towards the anarchists. | ||
| ===Bombing of their Athens office=== | ===Bombing of their Athens office=== | ||
| On March 19, 2010, a bomb described by the police as of "moderate power," was detonated in the fifth floor office of Golden Dawn, in downtown Athens. Twenty-five minutes prior to the blast, an unidentified caller contacted a local newspaper in order to announce the attack, thus leading to the evacuation of the targeted building and the surrounding area. The explosion caused substantial damage to property, but didn't inflict any casualties. The office was reopened on April 10, 2010. <ref> ], |
On March 19, 2010, a bomb described by the police as of "moderate power," was detonated in the fifth floor office of Golden Dawn, in downtown Athens. Twenty-five minutes prior to the blast, an unidentified caller contacted a local newspaper in order to announce the attack, thus leading to the evacuation of the targeted building and the surrounding area. The explosion caused substantial damage to property, but didn't inflict any casualties. The office was reopened on April 10, 2010. <ref> ], March 19th, 2010, retrieved March 27, 2010</ref> | ||
| ==Allegations of connections to the Greek Police== | ==Allegations of connections to the Greek Police== | ||
| In a 1998 interview with the left wing newspaper '']'', ] (the then ]-]) alleged the existence of "fascist elements in the ]", and vowed to suppress them.<ref name="Romaios"></ref> In a TV interview that same year, Romaios again claimed that there was a pro-fascist group within the police force although he said it was not organized, and was only involved in isolated incidents.<ref name="Ios98_3"> part 3 (in Greek)</ref> The same year, Eleftherotypia published a lengthy article called "The lower limbs of the police", which outlined connections between the police and ].<ref name="Ios98_1"> part 1 (in Greek)</ref> Dimitris Reppas, the ] ], strongly denied such connections. However, the article quoted a speech by ] ] Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos about a riot caused by ] extremists, in which he said: | In a 1998 interview with the left wing newspaper '']'', ] (the then ]-]) alleged the existence of "fascist elements in the ]", and vowed to suppress them.<ref name="Romaios">. Hri.org (1998-06-29). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref> In a TV interview that same year, Romaios again claimed that there was a pro-fascist group within the police force although he said it was not organized, and was only involved in isolated incidents.<ref name="Ios98_3"> part 3 (in Greek)</ref> The same year, Eleftherotypia published a lengthy article called "The lower limbs of the police", which outlined connections between the police and ].<ref name="Ios98_1"> part 1 (in Greek)</ref> Dimitris Reppas, the ] ], strongly denied such connections. However, the article quoted a speech by ] ] Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos about a riot caused by ] extremists, in which he said: | ||
| <blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
| ''In Thessaloniki it is widely discussed that far-right organisations are active in the security forces. Members of such organisations were the planners and chief executioners of the riot and nobody was arrested. A Special Forces officer, speaking at a briefing of Special Forces policemen that where to be on duty that day, told the policemen not to arrest anyone because the rioters were not enemies and threatened that should this be overlooked there would be penalties.'' | ''In Thessaloniki it is widely discussed that far-right organisations are active in the security forces. Members of such organisations were the planners and chief executioners of the riot and nobody was arrested. A Special Forces officer, speaking at a briefing of Special Forces policemen that where to be on duty that day, told the policemen not to arrest anyone because the rioters were not enemies and threatened that should this be overlooked there would be penalties.'' | ||
| Line 127: | Line 127: | ||
| The newspaper published a photograph of a typewritten paragraph with no identifiable insignia as evidence of the secret investigation.<ref name="TaNeaGif"> of ]</ref> In the article, the Minister for Public Order, ], responded that he did not recollect such a probe. Chrysochoidis also denied accusations that far right connections within the police force delayed the arrest of Periandros. He said that leftist groups, including the ultra left terrorist group ], responsible for several murders, had similarly evaded the police for decades. In both cases, he attributed the failures to "stupidity and incompetence" on behalf of the force.<ref name="TaNea"/> | The newspaper published a photograph of a typewritten paragraph with no identifiable insignia as evidence of the secret investigation.<ref name="TaNeaGif"> of ]</ref> In the article, the Minister for Public Order, ], responded that he did not recollect such a probe. Chrysochoidis also denied accusations that far right connections within the police force delayed the arrest of Periandros. He said that leftist groups, including the ultra left terrorist group ], responsible for several murders, had similarly evaded the police for decades. In both cases, he attributed the failures to "stupidity and incompetence" on behalf of the force.<ref name="TaNea"/> | ||
| Golden Dawn stated that rumours about the organisation having connections to the Greek police and the government are untrue, and that the police had intervened in Golden Dawn's rallies and had arrested members of the Party several times while the ] party was in power (for example, during a rally in Thessaloniki in June 2006, and at a rally for the anniversary of the ], in Athens, also in 2006).<ref name="XApress"/> Also, on January 2, 2005, ] and ] groups invaded Golden Dawn's headquarters in Thesaloniki, under heavy police surveillance. Although riot police units were near the entrance of the building alongside the intruders, they did not attempt to stop their actions.<ref></ref><ref></ref> | Golden Dawn stated that rumours about the organisation having connections to the Greek police and the government are untrue, and that the police had intervened in Golden Dawn's rallies and had arrested members of the Party several times while the ] party was in power (for example, during a rally in Thessaloniki in June 2006, and at a rally for the anniversary of the ], in Athens, also in 2006).<ref name="XApress"/> Also, on January 2, 2005, ] and ] groups invaded Golden Dawn's headquarters in Thesaloniki, under heavy police surveillance. Although riot police units were near the entrance of the building alongside the intruders, they did not attempt to stop their actions.<ref>. Athens.indymedia.org (2005-01-22). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.</ref><ref>{{dead link|date=June 2011}}</ref> | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 05:29, 27 June 2011
Political party in Greece| Golden Dawn | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Nikolaos Michaloliakos |
| Founded | 1 November 1993 |
| Headquarters | Athens |
| Youth wing | Youth Front |
| Ideology | Greek nationalism Third Position Neo-fascism National Socialism |
| Political position | Far-right |
| European affiliation | None |
| International affiliation | None |
| Colours | Red, Black |
| Greek Parliament: | 0 / 300 |
| European Parliament: | 0 / 20 |
| Peripheral units | 0 / 1,662 |
| Municipalities: | 1 / 12,978 |
| Website | |
Golden Dawn (Template:Lang-el, Chrysi Avyi) is a Greek Nationalist political organization led by Nikolaos Michaloliakos in Greece. Golden Dawn opposes democracy, immigration, multiculturalism, Marxism, globalization, liberalism, anti-militarism and anarchism. Its ideology has its roots in the Ancient Spartan society of Lycurgus and Leonidas. It is also in favor of mass deportations of all illegal immigrants who reside in the country. Members of the party have been many times accused for carrying for racist attacks.
Chrysi Avyi is also the name of a newspaper and a magazine published by the organization.
Golden Dawn ceased political operations in 2005, and it was absorbed by the Patriotic Alliance, which ceased operations after Michaloliakos withdrew support. In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress, where Party officials announced the resumption of their political activism. At local elections on November 7, 2010 Golden Dawn got 5,3% of the vote in the municipality of Athens, wining a seat at the City Council. In some neighbourhoods with big immigrant communities it even reached 20%.
Golden Dawn described itself as a "Popular Nationalist Movement" and "uncompromising Nationalists." Michaloliakos described Golden Dawn as opposing the "so-called Enlightenment" and the Industrial Revolution, while supporting National Socialism. According to the Party's charter, "only Aryans in blood and Greeks in descent can be candidate members of Golden Dawn". The charter also puts the leader in total control of the party, and formalizes the use of the Roman salute for party members. At first, the party embraced neo-Pagan beliefs, believing them to be intermingled with National Socialism in accordance to Nazi occultism, describing Marxism and liberalism as "the ideological carriers of Judeo-Christianity." Later, however, the party underwent ideological changes, tolerating Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
The Party's symbol is a red flag bearing a black meander pattern with white trim. Other symbols adopted by Chrysi Avyi members are the flag of Greece, the labrys and the Celtic cross.
History
In December 1980, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, and a group of his supporters launched Chrysi Avyi magazine. Michaloliakos (a mathematician and former commando) had been active in far right politics for many years, and he had been arrested several times for politically-motivated offences. While he was in prison, Michaloliakos met the leaders of the Greek military junta of 1967–1974, and he laid the foundations of the Hrisi Avgi party. The characteristics of the magazine and the organisation were clearly National Socialist. Chrysi Avyi magazine stopped being published in April 1984, when Michaloliakos joined the National Political Union and took over the leadership of its youth section. In January 1985, he broke away from the National Political Union and founded the Popular National Movement – Chrysi Avyi, which was officially recognised as a political party in 1993.
Golden Dawn remained largely on the margins of far right politics until the Macedonia naming dispute in 1991 and 1992. The left-leaning newspaper Eleftherotypia reported that on October 10, 1992, about thirty Golden Dawn members attacked left-wing students at the Athens University of Economics and Business during a massive demonstration against the usage of the name Macedonia by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Around the same time, the first far right street gangs appeared under the leadership of Giannis Giannopoulos, a former military officer who was involved with the South African Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB) during the 1980s. After the events of 1991 and 1992, Golden Dawn had gained a stable membership of more than 200 members, and Giannopoulos rose within the party hierarchy. Golden Dawn ran in the 1994 European Parliament election, gaining 7.264 votes nationwide; 0.11% of the votes cast.
A few Golden Dawn members participated in the Bosnian War in the Greek Volunteer Guard (GVG), which was part of the Drina Corps of the Army of Republika Srpska. A few GVG volunteers were present in Srebrenica during the Srebrenica massacre, and they raised a Greek flag at a ruined church after the fall of the town. Spiros Tzanopoulos, a GVG sergeant who took part in the attack against Srebrenica, said many of the Greek volunteers participated in the war because they were members of Golden Dawn. Golden Dawn members in the GVG were decorated by Radovan Karadžić, but — according to former Golden Dawn member Charis Kousoumvris — those who were decorated later left the party.
In April 1996, Giannopoulos represented the party at a pan-European convention of nationalist parties in Moscow, where he presented a bust of Alexander the Great to Liberal Democratic Party of Russia leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky for his birthday. Golden Dawn participated in the 1996 legislative election in September, receiving 4,487 votes nationwide; 0.07% of the votes cast. In October 1997, Giannopoulos published an article in Chrysi Avyi magazine calling for nationalist vigilantism against immigrants and left wingers. In 1998, a prominent party member, Antonios Androutsopoulos, assaulted left wing student activist Dimitris Kousouris. The resulting media attention, along with internal party conflicts (due to poor results in the 1996 elections), led some of its most extreme members (such as Giannopoulos) to gradually fade from official party affairs.
Golden Dawn continued to hold rallies and marches, and it ran in the 1999 European Parliament election in an alliance with the Front Line party, gaining 48,532 votes nationwide; 0.75% of the votes cast. Eleftherotypia criticicized Chrysi Avyi in 2005 after party members distributed homophobic fliers during an Athens gay pride parade.
2005 and later
According to Golden Dawn's leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, the party paused its own autonomous political activities after December 1, 2005, due to clashes with anti-fascists. Golden Dawn members had been instructed to continue their activism within the Patriotic Alliance party, which was very closely linked to Golden Dawn. The former leader of Patriotic Alliance, Dimitrios Zaphiropoulos, was once a member of Golden Dawn's political council, and Michaloliakos became a leading member of Patriotic Alliance. Anti-fascist groups had accused the Patriotic Alliance of simply being the new name of Golden Dawn. Activities by Patriotic Alliance's members were often attributed to Golden Dawn (even by themselves), creating confusion. This is the main reason Golden Dawn's members announced the withdrawal of their support of the Patriotic Alliance, which eventually led to the interruption of Golden Dawn's political activities.
In March 2007, Golden Dawn held its sixth congress and announced the continuation of their political and ideological activism. As of 2010, Golden Dawn's newspaper and magazine continue to be published, and the organisation's website is being updated.
Activities
Golden Dawn claimed to have local organisations in 32 Greek cities, as well as in Cyprus.
The party created the Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis (Committee of National Memory), to organise demonstrations commemorating the anniversaries of certain Greek national events. Since 1996, Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis organizes an annual march usually on January 31 in Athens, in memory of three Greek officers who died during the Imia military crisis. According to the European National Front website, the 2006 march was attended by 2,500 people, although no neutral sources have confirmed that number. Epitropi Ethnikis Mninis has continued its activities, and the January 31 March took place in January 2010 where even more than 5.000 party members took part at the demonstration.
Epitropi Ethnikis Mnimis has organized annual rallies on June 17 in Thessalonica, in memory of Alexander the Great. Police confronted the 2006 rally participants, forcing Golden Dawn and Patriotic Alliance members to leave the area, while anti-fascist and leftist groups took over the square where the nationalist event was supposed to take place, causing damage and vandalisms. Later that day, Golden Dawn members gathered in the building of state-owned television channel ERT3 and protesting they tried to stop the channel from broadcasting. Police surrounded the building and arrested 48 Hrisi Avgi members. According to a Golden Dawn press release, those members were carrying Greek national flags which in court were considered to be "arms" and so they were found guilty of carrying them. They were condemned up to six and seven months imprisonment with suspension and were also fined €500.
In September 2005, Golden Dawn attempted to organise a festival called "Eurofest 2005 – Nationalist Summer Camp" at the grounds of a Greek summer camp. The planned festival depended on the participation of the German National Democratic Party of Germany, the Italian Forza Nuova and the Romanian Noua Dreaptă, as well as Spanish and American neo-Nazi groups. The festival was banned by the government, largely because of the reaction of anti-fascist groups.
In June 2007, Golden Dawn sent representatives to protest the G8 convention in Germany, together with the National Democratic Party of Germany and other European neo-Nazi organisations.
In May 2009, Golden Dawn took part in the European Elections receiving 23,564 votes corresponding to 0.46% of the total votes.
Youth Front
Golden Dawn's Youth Front has distributed fliers with nationalist messages in Athens schools and organised white power concerts. It publishes the white nationalist magazine Resistance Hellas-Antepithesi, which promotes National Socialism to young people through articles related to music and sports. The magazine is a sister publication of the United States-based National Alliance's Resistance magazine. The collaboration between Greek nationalists and American racialists began in 2001, after National Alliance founder William Luther Pierce visited Thessalonica, Greece. Pierce's successor, Erich Gliebe, ratified the collaboration after Pierce's death.
Violence by and against Golden Dawn
Members of Golden Dawn have been accused of carrying out acts of violence and hate crimes against illegal immigrants, political opponents and ethnic minorities. Golden Dawn's offices have been attacked many times by anarchists and anti-fascists. Clashes between members of Golden Dawn and anti-fascists have not been unusual.
In January 1998, Alexis Kalofolias, vocalist of the band The Last Drive, was attacked and suffered permanent damage to his right eye, losing 2% of his eyesight. KLIK magazine and left wing newspaper Eleftherotypia reported that members of Golden Dawn were responsible for the attack.
In 2000, unknown suspects vandalized the Monastirioton synagogue, a memorial for Holocaust victims and Jewish cemeteries in Thessaloniki and Athens. According to anti-fascist groups, Hrisi Avgi's symbols were present at all four sites. The KIS, the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, the Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology, the Greek Helsinki Monitor and others issued statements condemning these acts. The Cyprus chapter of Hrisi Avgi has been accused of attacks against Turkish Cypriots, and one member was arrested for attacking Turkish-Cypriots in 2005.
In November 2005, Golden Dawn's offices were attacked by a group of Anarchists with molotov cocktails and stones. Unknown perpetrators responded to the anti-fascists with gunshots, and two people (who testified that they were just passing by) were injured. According to Golden Dawn, three suspects were arrested and set free. During the subsequent police investigation, molotov cocktails left overs were discovered in Golden Dawn's offices. Golden Dawn has stated that this was the reason for the organisation's disbandment.
In June 2006, three members of Golden Dawn were attacked and severely injured by anarchists in Galatsi, Athens. One of them ended up in a coma for three weeks.
Football hooliganism
In 2000, Golden Dawn members formed the hooligan firm Galazia Stratia (Greek for "Blue Army"), which has described itself as a "fan club of the Greek national teams." It has been reported that following Golden Dawn's official disbandment in 2005, many former party members have put most of their energy into promoting Galazia Stratia. Galazia Stratia is closely linked to Golden Dawn, and the two groups shared the same street address. Golden Dawn made no attempt to deny the connections, openly praising the actions of Galazia Stratia in its newspaper, and accepting praise in return from the firm.
Galazia Stratia and Golden Dawn have been accused of various acts of sports-related violence. In September 2004, after a football match between Greece and Albania in Tirana (in which Greece lost 2–1), Albanian hooligans set fire on a Greek flag, and violence erupted against Albanian immigrants in various parts of Greece. Anti-fascist groups held Golden Dawn and Galazia Stratia directly responsible for the attacks. According to Eleftherotypia, Galazia Stratia members severely beat a Palestinian and a Bangladeshi during celebrations following the success of the Greek national basketball team at the 2006 FIBA World Championship.
The Periandros case
Antonios Androutsopoulos (better known as Periandros), a prominent member of Golden Dawn, was on the run from 1998 to September 14, 2005 after being accused of the June 16, 1998 attempted murder of three left-wing students — including Dimitris Kousouris, who was heavily injured. Androutsopoulos had been sentenced in absentia to four years of prison for illegal weapon possession while the attempted murder charges against him were still standing.
The authorities' failure to apprehend Androutsopoulos for seven years raised criticisms by the Greek media. A Ta Nea article claimed that Periandros remained in Greece and evaded arrest due to connections with the police. In a 2004 interview, Michalis Chrisochoidis, the former minister of public order of PASOK, claimed that such accusations were unfounded, and he blamed the inefficiency of the Greek police. Some allege that Androutsopoulos had evaded arrest because he had been residing in Venezuela until he turned himself in 2005. His trial began on September 20, 2006, and he was convicted to 21 years in prison on September 25, 2006. Hrisi Avgi members were present in his trial, shouting nationalist slogans.
Imia 2008
On February 2, 2008, Golden Dawn planned to hold the annual march for the twelfth anniversary of the Imia military crisis. Leftist and anti-fascist groups organised a protest in order to cancel the march, as a response to racist attacks, supposedly caused by Golden Dawn members. Golden Dawn members occupied the square in which the march was to take place, and when anti-fascists showed up, clashes occurred. During the riots that followed, Golden Dawn members were seen attacking the anti-fascists with riot police doing nothing to stop them and actually letting them pass through their lines. This led to two people being wounded by knife and another two wounded by rocks. Anti-fascists claimed that Chrysi Avyi members even carried police equipment with them and that Golden Dawn's equipment was carried inside a police van. The march was canceled and Golden Dawn issued a statement, responding to accusations of cooperation with the Greek Police, claiming that it was actually the anti-fascists who were collaborating with the police, since it was the anarchists and anti-Fascists that originally attacked the square where the Golden Dawn members were present, without anyone trying to stop them and in the night riots that followed, no arrest was made despite the damage caused by anarchists and anti-fascists. Also it is claimed that police turned on the anarchists in the end, after anarchists threw rocks at the police, hence why Golden Dawn followed the police from behind towards the anarchists.
Bombing of their Athens office
On March 19, 2010, a bomb described by the police as of "moderate power," was detonated in the fifth floor office of Golden Dawn, in downtown Athens. Twenty-five minutes prior to the blast, an unidentified caller contacted a local newspaper in order to announce the attack, thus leading to the evacuation of the targeted building and the surrounding area. The explosion caused substantial damage to property, but didn't inflict any casualties. The office was reopened on April 10, 2010.
Allegations of connections to the Greek Police
In a 1998 interview with the left wing newspaper Eleftherotypia, Georgios Romaios (the then PASOK-Minister for Public Order) alleged the existence of "fascist elements in the Greek police", and vowed to suppress them. In a TV interview that same year, Romaios again claimed that there was a pro-fascist group within the police force although he said it was not organized, and was only involved in isolated incidents. The same year, Eleftherotypia published a lengthy article called "The lower limbs of the police", which outlined connections between the police and neo-fascism. Dimitris Reppas, the PASOK government spokesman, strongly denied such connections. However, the article quoted a speech by PASOK Member of Parliament Paraskevas Paraskevopoulos about a riot caused by right wing extremists, in which he said:
In Thessaloniki it is widely discussed that far-right organisations are active in the security forces. Members of such organisations were the planners and chief executioners of the riot and nobody was arrested. A Special Forces officer, speaking at a briefing of Special Forces policemen that where to be on duty that day, told the policemen not to arrest anyone because the rioters were not enemies and threatened that should this be overlooked there would be penalties.
Before the surrender of Androutsopoulos, an article by the left leaning newspaper Ta Nea claimed that the Golden Dawn had close relationships with some parts of the Greek police force. In relation to the Periandros case, the article quoted an unidentified police officer who said that "half the force wanted Periandros arrested and the other half didn't". The article claimed that there was a confidential internal police investigation which concluded that:
- Golden Dawn had very good relations and contacts with officers of the force, on and off duty, as well as with common policemen.
- The police provided the group with batons and radio communications equipment during mass demonstrations, mainly during celebrations of the Athens Polytechnic uprising and during rallies by left-wing and anarchist groups, in order to provoke riots.
- The connections of the group with the force, as well as connections with Periandros, largely delayed his arrest.
- The brother of "Periandros", also a member of Golden Dawn, was a security escort of an unnamed New Democracy MP.
- Many Golden Dawn members were illegally carrying various kinds of weapons.
The newspaper published a photograph of a typewritten paragraph with no identifiable insignia as evidence of the secret investigation. In the article, the Minister for Public Order, Michalis Chrysochoidis, responded that he did not recollect such a probe. Chrysochoidis also denied accusations that far right connections within the police force delayed the arrest of Periandros. He said that leftist groups, including the ultra left terrorist group 17 November, responsible for several murders, had similarly evaded the police for decades. In both cases, he attributed the failures to "stupidity and incompetence" on behalf of the force.
Golden Dawn stated that rumours about the organisation having connections to the Greek police and the government are untrue, and that the police had intervened in Golden Dawn's rallies and had arrested members of the Party several times while the New Democracy party was in power (for example, during a rally in Thessaloniki in June 2006, and at a rally for the anniversary of the Greek genocide, in Athens, also in 2006). Also, on January 2, 2005, anti-fascist and leftist groups invaded Golden Dawn's headquarters in Thesaloniki, under heavy police surveillance. Although riot police units were near the entrance of the building alongside the intruders, they did not attempt to stop their actions.
See also
Footnotes
- "Allmänna val, valresultat". Statistics Sweden.
- Kitsantonis, Niki. (2010-12-01) Attacks on Immigrants on the Rise in Greece. Nytimes.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ 2006 interview of Michaloliakos published in Elevtheros Kosmos newspaper.
- ^ Γράφει ο IΟΣ Eleftherotypia 2/07/1998 (in Greek)
- Our Ideology: God Religion (Η Ιδεολογία Μας: Θεός-θρησκεία), Golden Dawn's newspaper, issue 57, October 1990
- Η ΝΕΑ ΑΚΡΟΔΕΞΙΑ. Eleftherotypia 18/6/2000 (in Greek)
- ^ Το κλούβιο «αβγό του φιδιού» (The rotten "egg of the snake") To Vima 11/9/2005 Cite error: The named reference "Vima" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- Article about Michaloliakos published on Golden Dawn's website.
- ΣΧΕΣΕΙΣ ΑΚΡΟΔΕΞΙΑΣ-ΕΛ.ΑΣ. Eleftherotypia. 27/9/1998 (in Greek)
- Article published in "NIGMA" magazine about Golden Dawn. (in Greek)
- Michas, Takis;"Unholy Alliance", Texas A&M University Press: Eastern European Studies (College Station, Tex.) pp. 22
- ^ Για τη Λευκή Φυλή και την Ορθοδοξία Eleftherotypia 16/07/2005 (in Greek)
- Results of the 1996 legislative election.
- 1998 article in Eleftherotypia.
- "Ta alla Kommata", Macedonian Press Agency information on the 1999 elections.
- 27/06/2005 article in Eleftherotypia
- ^ Αναστέλλεται η λειτουργία της ακροδεξιάς οργάνωσης «Χρυσή Αυγή» www.in.gr. 01/12/05 (in Greek)
- ^ Golden Dawn stops their activities, European National Front website Cite error: The named reference "ENF_disbandment" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Article in the website of Patriotic Alliance, stating that "those who contributed mostly in our political campaign were the youth of Golden Dawn".
- Article in Eleftherotypia.
- Golden Dawn announces the withdrawal of their support to Patriotic Alliance.
- News of the disbandment of Patriotic Alliance, in Independent Media Center.
- 12.05.07 Michaloliakos' speech during the congress. (in Greek)
- 11/5/2002 article in newspaper Ta Nea, about Chrysi Avyi's activities. (in Greek)
- ENF gathers in Athens from the European National Front website.
- Report of the 2007 march. Xrushaugh.org (2010-02-26). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ 48 Greek nationalists arrested from the European National Front website Cite error: The named reference "48arrested" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Σε 48ωρη κινητοποίηση καλούν ΓΣΕΕ και ΑΔΕΔΥ Thessalia 18/6/06 (in Greek)
- Hrisi Avgi's press release (in Greek)
- Ανησυχία στην Αθήνα για τις παράλληλες εκδηλώσεις ακροδεξιών και αριστερών οργανώσεων in.gr 22/12/06 (in Greek)
- ^ Golden Dawn press release (in Greek)
- Golden Dawn’s anti globalisation attendance against G8 convention in Germany (in Greek)
- European Elections 2009. Ekloges-prev.singularlogic.eu. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- The Growth of White Power Music. Natall.com (2006-03-04). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ Eleftherotypia's article about attacks by Golden Dawn. (in Greek)
- ^ Επεισόδια με πυροβολισμούς έξω από τα γραφεία της οργάνωσης «Χρυσή Αυγή» in.gr 20/11/05 (in Greek)
- «Πεδίο μάχης» το κέντρο της Αθήνας έπειτα από παράλληλες συγκεντρώσεις in.gr 17/09/05 (in Greek)
- ^ Article in magazine KLIK(in Greek)
- ^ ''Central European Review'' – "Anti-Jewish Attacks". Ce-review.org. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece press release (in Greek). Also contains photographs of the desecrations.
- Greek Helsinki Monitor press release (in Greek)
- trncinfo.com – "Fanatic Hrisi Avgi member released."
- Assassination attempt against 3 young nationalists in Athens, European National Front website
- 04/08/06 Hrisi Avgi press release, contains an article from a Greek mainstream newspaper, Vradini. (in Greek)
- ^ Μουντο-ρατσισμός Eleftherotypia 10/9/2006 (in Greek)
- ^ Nazis dressed up as fans, Eleftherotypia 1/12/2001
- Galazia Stratia thanking Chrysi Avyi for the support. Meandros.net. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ ''The Yale Hippolytic'' – "More Than Just a Game". Hippolytic.com. Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ 17/04/2004 article in Ta Nea (in Greek)
- In Brief Kathimerini. 14/09/2005
- Ο «Περίανδρος» άδειασε την ΕΛ.ΑΣ. Eleftherotypia 14/09/2005 (in Greek)
- 27/04/2004 article in Kathimerini (in Greek)
- Παραδόθηκε ο «Xρυσαυγίτης» Kathimerini 14/09/2005 (in Greek)
- ^ Αμετανόητη Αυγή του φιδιού Eleftherotypia 29/09/06 (in Greek)
- Είκοσι ένα χρόνια κάθειρξη χωρίς αναστολή στον «Περίανδρο» για την επίθεση κατά φοιτητών in.gr 25/09/06 (in Greek)
- Athens Indymedia 2008/02/03
- ΔΕΣΜΟΙ ΑΙΜΑΤΟΣ Eleftherotypia 2008/02/04 (In Greek)
- Η Χρυσή Αυγή Απαντά Chrysi Avyi press release. 2008/02/03
- Neo-Nazi offices in Greece bombed IOL, March 19th, 2010, retrieved March 27, 2010
- Athens News Agency: Press Review in Greek, 98-06-29. Hri.org (1998-06-29). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- ^ Eleftherotypia's article part 3 (in Greek)
- Eleftherotypia article part 1 (in Greek)
- Image from the article of Ta Nea
- Indymedia Athens. Athens.indymedia.org (2005-01-22). Retrieved on 2011-06-27.
- Bulgarian Indymedia
External links
- Template:Gr icon Official website of Hrisi Avgi
- Template:Gr icon Official website of Hrisi Avgi's Youth Front and Resistance Hellas-Antepithesi magazine