Golden Dawn Leader's Immunity Lifted
Golden Dawn leader Nikos Michaloliakos, who currently remains on trial, claimed that law enforcers are trying to control the ultra right-winged party's increasing popularity.
The political party chief stated during his immunity lifting judicial hearing, "I am the head of Greece's third-largest party", according to Kathimerini. Michaloliakos later screamed "Shut up!" to a Parliament speaker, before walking out ahead of his immunity deciding vote. Approximately 600 Golden Dawn supporters protested outside.
He added, "You have drawn up charges with your eyes on opinion polls...You have kept me in prison, unfairly, for eight entire months ... Golden Dawn is the victim of a political plot". 223 out of 224 Parliamentary delegates voted to lift Michaloliakis' immunity.
Golden Dawn is currently Greece's third most popular political entity and holds 18 seats in Parliament. Michaloliakos also claimed that New Democracy press spokesman Giorgos Mouroutis reached out to his party, regarding political unions; Mouroutis has denied all claims.
Michaloliakis further commented, "I was a target of terrorists. He said he was an "unrepentant nationalist and Golden Dawn member". All of the 18 Golden Dawn Parliamentary officials have been charged with administering an illegal organization. They have all denied their charges.
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