GD trial postponed again amid upheaval
The trial of Golden Dawn was adjourned again Friday when a group of protesters tried to barge into the makeshift courtroom at Korydallos maximum security jail.
The protesters, who were at the time being escorted by police to an adjacent courtroom for the trial of alleged members of the Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire terrorist organization, muscled their way into the hall shouting anti-fascist slogans. Plastic bottles were thrown in the direction of journalists and photographers.
Takis Michalolias, the brother and lawyer representing GD leader Nikos Michaloliakos, asked judges to discontinue the trial for safety reasons.
Local officials, residents and lawyers have asked for a change of venue, citing security.
Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos has said that the proceedings could be moved to the Athens Appeals Court, but not before September.
The decision to postpone the trial, for the third time yesterday, prompted an outburst from Magda Fyssa, the mother of Pavlos Fyssas, the rapper killed by Giorgos Roupakias, a self-proclaimed member of Golden Dawn, in 2013.
“This is what you wanted… You are the ones taking lives away, and now you’re acting scared,” Fyssa said.
Addressing to Roupakias, she said: “What are you looking at? You, murderers; 24 of you were looking at him as he died.”
The trial will resume June 4.
