The leader of neo-fascist Greek party Golden Dawn refused to show up at court on Monday, where he and other party leaders stand accused of running a criminal organisation.
Party leader Nikos Mihaloliakos and more than a dozen leading figures from the party, the third largest in Greece, also face charges of murder, racist violence and weapons possession. The landmark trial is high profile in Greece, which will see a total of 69 people tried, including all 18 elected parliamentarians from Golden Dawn, reports Reuters.
The trial, which is expected to last more than a year has been postponed until May 7, as one of the defendants did not have a lawyer.
Five witnesses were reportedly attacked outside the courthouse, where around 200 Golden Dawn supporters had gathered. Meanwhile more than 4,000 anti-fascist demonstrators took part in a demonstration calling for party members to be convicted.
Athens mayor, Giorgos Kamininis, said the trial was important “for Greece and democracy”.
“They are not on trial for their ideas but because of their criminal activities which undermine the institution of democracy and for a host of racist attacks against migrants,” he added.
Party leader Nikos Mihaloliakos and more than a dozen leading figures from the party, the third largest in Greece, also face charges of murder, racist violence and weapons possession. The landmark trial is high profile in Greece, which will see a total of 69 people tried, including all 18 elected parliamentarians from Golden Dawn, reports Reuters.
The trial, which is expected to last more than a year has been postponed until May 7, as one of the defendants did not have a lawyer.
Five witnesses were reportedly attacked outside the courthouse, where around 200 Golden Dawn supporters had gathered. Meanwhile more than 4,000 anti-fascist demonstrators took part in a demonstration calling for party members to be convicted.
Athens mayor, Giorgos Kamininis, said the trial was important “for Greece and democracy”.
“They are not on trial for their ideas but because of their criminal activities which undermine the institution of democracy and for a host of racist attacks against migrants,” he added.