Ilias Kasidiaris | Greece's most famous neo-Nazi is planning his comeback

Photo: dpa/ap/Koen van Weel The prison time hardly changed him - especially politically. After his release from prison, the Greek neo-Nazi Ilias Kasidiaris (45) raised his fist in the air. Kasidiaris announced his return to politics - with a "new, strong national party, like those that dominate all of Europe."

His outfit was also eye-catching. Kasidiaris wore a black Fred Perry polo shirt with yellow stripes and logo - the model that became a trademark of the right-wing extremist Proud Boys in North America, who have repeatedly attracted attention through political violence. Fred Perry therefore stopped sales in the USA and Canada.

For years, Kasidiaris was a member of the leadership of the right-wing Golden Dawn party and was its spokesman and member of parliament. He became infamous in 2012 when he beat communist politician Liana Kanelli on a television show. The party combined parliamentary politics with organized violence against migrants and political opponents. After the murder of the anti-fascist rapper Pavlos Fyssas on September 18, 2013, the major criminal trial against its leadership began. In 2020, Kasidiaris was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison for leading a criminal organization. In March of this year, an appeals court upheld the guilty verdict. However, he only served seven years because he met conditions for early release.

Kasidiaris remained politically active behind bars: his National Party – Greeks (Ellines for short), founded in 2020, wanted to take part in the parliamentary elections in 2023, but was excluded by the Supreme Court. He then supported the previously little-known Spartiates party. She received 4.68 percent and twelve mandates. The Greek justice system later found that Kasidiaris had effectively exercised political leadership from his cell. 

His attention now extends beyond Greece. In July, Elon Musk shared a post on X about Kasidiaris' detention and commented, "This is messed up." Kasidiaris promptly celebrated the four words as international support.

It remains to be seen whether his comeback will actually lead to a candidacy. According to current case law, he is neither allowed to lead a party himself nor act as its covert leader. Some constitutional lawyers believe an independent candidacy is possible, others see him barred from running as a regular candidate through a party until the end of his sentence in 2033. The Supreme Court would ultimately decide again on its approval.

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