Police probe ties 10 officers to Golden Dawn, says ‘no organized cells’ in force
The Greek Police on Wednesday announced the results of an internal affairs investigation into allegations of links between the force and the ultra-right Golden Dawn, saying that 10 officers were found to be linked “directly or indirectly” to the party but insisting that there were no indications of organized cells operating within the police.
Police officials told a press conference that the probe, which started last month, focused on 319 officers of whom 15 were arrested and 10 ultimately linked to Golden Dawn. Most of these 10 officers were guards that had been assigned to GD lawmakers, police officials said. But, according to the report, the probe found no evidence of “organized cells” aligned to Golden Dawn within the force. It did highlight “the inadequate supervision” of officers however.
Commenting after the press conference, Public Order Minister Nikos Dendias said the probe showed that “the Greek police is not only unafraid of transparency but seeks it.” ” “As a state, it was our duty not to allow any shadow to remain on the overwhelming majority of men and women of the Greek Police,” he said.
