Golden Dawn (Greece) - Violence Involving Golden Dawn

Violence Involving Golden Dawn

Members of Golden Dawn have been accused of carrying out acts of violence and hate crimes against immigrants, political opponents and ethnic minorities. Golden Dawn's offices have been attacked repeatedly by anarchists and leftists and clashes between members of Golden Dawn and leftists have not been unusual.

In January 1998, Alexis Kalofolias, vocalist of the band The Last Drive, was attacked and suffered permanent damage to his right eye, losing two percent of his eyesight. KLIK magazine and left wing newspaper Eleftherotypia reported that members of Golden Dawn were responsible for the attack.

In 2000, unknown suspects vandalized the Monastirioton synagogue, a memorial for Holocaust victims and Jewish cemeteries in Thessaloniki and Athens. There were claims that Golden Dawn's symbols were present at all four sites. The KIS, the Central Board of Jewish Communities in Greece, the Coalition of the Left, of Movements and Ecology, the Greek Helsinki Monitor and others issued statements condemning these acts. The Cyprus chapter of Golden Dawn has been accused of attacks against Turkish Cypriots, and one member was arrested for attacking Turkish-Cypriots in 2005.

In November 2005, Golden Dawn's offices were attacked by a group of Anarchists with molotov cocktails and stones. There were gunshots, and two people (who testified that they were just passing by) were injured. According to Golden Dawn, three suspects were arrested and set free. During the subsequent police investigation, molotov cocktails left overs were discovered in Golden Dawn's offices. Golden Dawn has stated that this was the reason for the organisations disbandment.