Greek‌ Police‌ Dismantle Alleged Nationalist⁣ Youth⁢ Group ​in Thessaloniki

ATHENS, Greece – Greek authorities have⁤ dismantled an⁤ alleged⁣ far-right youth group in Thessaloniki following an ‌investigation into a series of violent incidents, including racist attacks⁤ and robberies,⁤ police announced. The operation,‍ conducted​ on May ‍7, resulted in the arrest of‌ 28 individuals, ‌including 13 minors, suspected of involvement in the group’s activities.

Two⁢ additional suspects, one of whom is a minor, are currently being sought in connection with the case.
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details Emerge of ​Alleged Violence and Ideology

⁣ ​​ ​ According ‍to police ‌reports, the investigation, ‌which spanned several weeks, uncovered disturbing details about the group’s ‌alleged activities. Members are accused of ⁤celebrating the physical⁣ harm inflicted on their victims.
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⁤ ‌ “Man, I hit a ⁢guy on my head, I opened his skull. His head bled⁢ heavily,”⁣ one member allegedly boasted, according to police transcripts. Another reportedly bragged about‌ delivering a blow ⁣to⁣ the head followed by “three full kicks in the⁢ face until he fell to the ground.”
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Charges ​Include ⁣Human Trafficking, assault

‌ The suspects face a ⁤range ‍of ⁣charges, including forming a criminal organization, human trafficking ‌by coercing minors into criminal activity, inciting violence ‍with⁤ racist motives, aggravated assault, and property damage.
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Two adults, including the alleged leader of the⁤ group, remain ‍in custody. ​The remaining 26 individuals, ‍including⁣ the minors, have been⁢ released under⁤ strict conditions. The criminal file reportedly details attacks on​ anti-fascist activists and vandalism with right-wing extremist slogans ​at schools ⁣and a political party office.
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Weapons and‍ Propaganda Seized

During ⁢searches of the suspects’ residences, authorities‌ seized an array ​of items, including clothing with ⁢nationalist symbols, stickers, printed⁤ materials with racist ‌imagery, and weapons. The weapons included iron rods, knives, swords, metal and wooden bars, ‌hunting cartridges, slingshots, and pyrotechnic ⁤devices.
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⁢ Investigators believe the group,​ referred⁢ to as “Nationalist Youth,” used the Telegram messaging app for ​communication. They also allegedly used social media to promote their extremist ideology‌ and recruit new⁣ members.
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Links to golden⁣ Dawn

⁣ ​ Authorities ⁢say ⁢the group operated under a clear⁣ hierarchy, with ⁤adult⁤ members leading ‌younger recruits. Members participated in what ⁤they called “patriotic marches,” displaying the ⁣organization’s symbols.

‌One member, using the nickname “Ierakas,”‌ allegedly‍ stated, “We have an ⁤ideological basis that unites ‌us. We believe in blood, in the idea of blood ‌and ‌earth.It demands⁤ that we are ⁤the link between​ the dead and the unborn souls of our (Greek)‌ nation.”

⁣ ​ ⁤ The⁤ alleged‍ leader of ⁤the⁢ group, a 28-year-old man, is reportedly linked to⁣ the Golden Dawn party, whose leadership was convicted⁤ in 2020 of⁤ running⁢ a criminal organization following the 2013 ‍murder of anti-fascist rapper⁤ Pavlos Fyssas.
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⁢ While Golden Dawn has not been banned, a former ⁣leading member, Ilias kasidiaris, remains imprisoned. A party ‌founded by Kasidiaris was‍ barred from participating in local ⁣elections in 2023.
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