Greek Neo-Nazi Casts Himself as Political Martyr Ahead of Prison Release

On the Greek capital’s bustling Omonia Square, a group of young men held Greek flags and chanted: “Ilias, stay strong on the road to freedom” and “Remember Ilias, we are with you”. It was July 20 and Ilias Kasidiaris - on day release from prison - was inaugurating the offices of a new party he had announced the previous month. Convicted in 2020 of directing a criminal organisation, Kasidiaris has no legal grounds to lead a political party, but media reports this month suggest a relative of his has submitted a request to do so before the Supreme Court. Addressing his supporters, Kasidiaris called on them to gather outside Domokos prison come mid-September, when he is due to be released. Together, he said, they would “send a message of resistance to all those who are selling out Greece”, and vowed to run in the next parliamentary election, expected in the spring of next year. Subscribe to Balkan Insight Premium to read the full article. Please login to your account below if you are already a Premium Subscriber. Buy Premium Subscription Our Premium Service gives you full access to all content published on BalkanInsight.com, including analyses, investigations, comments, interviews and more. Choose your subscription today and get unparalleled in-depth coverage of the Southern and Eastern Europe. Buy Premium Subscription If you have trouble logging in or any other questions regarding you account, please contact us