Ilias Kasidiaris, the former deputy leader of the outlawed neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, has filed for early release from prison, officials said. The request follows the conditional release of the group’s leader, Nikos Michaloliakos, who served a partial sentence for leading a criminal organisation linked to violent hate crimes.
Mr. Kasidiaris, sentenced to 13 years, applied for release on April 26 through the Domokos prison administration, sources reported. The application was referred to the Lamia prosecutor’s office.
Authorities said the decision would be made by the same judicial bodies that granted Mr. Michaloliakos’ release.
Kasidiaris is eligible for release, having served over half his term, and maintains a clean disciplinary record with approved prison leave, his attorney Vasso Pantazi stated.
Mr. Michaloliakos’ release last week provoked widespread condemnation. The judicial council approved it despite the public prosecutor’s objections, who argued that the former neo-Nazi leader did not meet the necessary criteria and showed no remorse, citing his claims of political persecution.
Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said on Wednesday that the case of Fredi Beleri, a mayor from Albania’s Greek minority who was recently sentenced to two years in prison for buying votes, should be viewed as a European concern rather than a bilateral issue between the two Balkan neighbors.