Golden Dawn MP’s deposition postponed after party leader requests magistrates’ dismissal
Tuesday’s deposition of Golden Dawn MP Eleni Zaroulia in connection with the ongoing investigation into whether the ultranationalist party constitutes a criminal organization was postponed after the party leader and her husband, Nikos Michaloliakos, filed a request for the dismissal of the two magistrates leading the probe.
Magistrates Ioanna Klapa and Maria Dimitropoulou had to cancel all scheduled depositions of party members after Michaloliakos’s request was filed by the party. The request is based on allegations that Stathis Boukouras, a Golden Dawn MP who left the party in May after claiming that he was unaware of its “criminal activities,” was being coerced by the investigators to testify against the party.
Earlier on Tuesday, the magistrates granted MP Giorgos Germenis (photo) a release on weapons possession charges. The deputy returned to Korydallos Prison, however, where he is being held pending trial along with other members of Golden Dawn, on charges of belonging to a criminal organization.
Zaroulia was initially scheduled to be deposed last week but was granted an extension until Tuesday. The depositions will recommence once a decision has been reached by a judicial council on the dismissal motion.
