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Far-right Golden Dawn chief, MP to be released from pre-trial custody

Xinhua, March 20, 2015 Adjust font size:

Greece's far-right Golden Dawn (GD) party chief Nikos Michaloliakos and MP Yannis Lagos are due to be released from pre-trial custody after 18 months following a judicial ruling on Friday.

Michaloliakos and nearly the entire parliamentary group of the party are accused of running a criminal organization. They were arrested after the killing of an anti-fascist activist by a GD supporter in Piraeus in September 2013.

Police and judicial investigations have linked the suspects to illegal possession of guns, money laundering, extortions and dozens of attacks against political opponents and migrants in recent years.

The trial of GD has been set for April 20.

Under Greek legislation, suspects cannot be held under pre-trial custody for more than 18 months.

Michaloliakos and Lagos were the first members of GD's leadership expected to be released most likely later on Friday.

Michaloliakos will remain under house arrest under the law concerning illegal gun possession. According to the ruling of the Athens Appeals Court Justices' Council, he was banned from leaving the country, but will be allowed to attend parliament proceedings.

Lagos was also banned from leaving the country. He is not allowed to attend public gatherings and has to report to a police station twice a month.

Next week more GD deputies are due to be released.

Despite the judicial crackdown against the ultra-right party, GD ranked third in the January 25 general elections, winning 6.3 percent of the votes and 17 seats in the 300-member strong assembly.

It first entered parliament three years ago with a 7 percent of votes and 18 seats.

According to political analysts in Athens, GD stood its ground because a large percentage of Greek voters are still disappointed with the managing of the acute debt crisis by traditional political parties.

GD increased its support from the Greek electorate, riding on the wave of discontent and agony over record high unemployment rates, recession and harsh austerity measures. Enditem