Fyssas murder anniversary demonstrations

Pavlos Fyssas, aged 34, a musician and anti-fascist activist, was stabbed to death in Keratsini, a suburb of the capital Athens, by a member of Golden Dawn. Eyewitnesses told the national media that eight police officers belonging to the DIAS motorized police unit were already present at the scene when Pavlos Fyssas and his friends were ambushed by members of the far-right, but they did not intervene when Pavlos was chased by some of them and subsequently stabbed by George Roupakias.

The whole country is shocked by this incident. Immediately after the first shock fascist demonstrations begin, not only in Greece but also in many European cities. The place of the murder of the 34-year old rapper becomes a point of reference. The revelations about the criminal activities of the Golden Dawn succeed one another.

On the following day, riot police dispersed demonstrators protesting against the murder of Pavlos Fyssas with batons and chemicals. Thirty one protesters sought medical treatment, many of them with head injuries. The protesters reported that they had been beaten with police batons, helmets and shields. They were pelted with stones by members of far-right groups while riot police stood by and failed to protect them.

The case of Pavlos Fyssas prompted a major police investigation into the activities of Golden Dawn and links with the police. Several reports and SMS messages gathered by the police reveal shocking details about this murder, as well as for other incidents indicating “provocative actions” from Golden Dawn members. Several of them got arrested and are now in Korydalos prison pending trial.

Antifascist groups and other organizations on Thursday will hold events in Athens and other Greek cities to mark the first-year anniversary since the musician Pavlos Fyssas was stabbed to death by a member of the ultra-right Golden Dawn party.

A monument in honour of Fyssas at the site of the murder in the western Attica district of Keratsini will be unveiled at 15.00 while an antifascist protest and march around Keratsini has been called for later in the afternoon.

An antifascist concert has been scheduled for Friday at 17.00 at Syntagma square, with the participation of more than 30 artists.