Greece’s citizen protection minister has called for an immediate review of the rules governing political gatherings after police said they had no legal authority to stop an indoor event organized by Ilias Kasidiaris in Thessaloniki.
Kasidiaris, a former Golden Dawn lawmaker who was released from prison in September, held the event at a hotel on October 28. Anti-fascist groups organized demonstrations nearby, despite a police ban on outdoor gatherings across parts of central Thessaloniki.
Clashes broke out on Egnatia Street when demonstrators attempted to march toward the venue. Riot police used tear gas, while six people were reportedly detained. Traffic was halted on sections of Egnatia and Angelaki streets, and six metro stations were temporarily closed.
The confrontation opened a wider debate over how Greek authorities should respond to political events organized by figures linked to the now-defunct Golden Dawn party, whose leadership was convicted of running a criminal organization. The Golden Dawn criminal-organization convictions were upheld on appeal earlier this year.
Police sought judicial guidance before Kasidiaris’ event
Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said police asked judicial authorities whether the hotel event could be prohibited. According to the minister, the president of the Thessaloniki Court of First Instance replied that police could not lawfully cancel a gathering held in a private, enclosed space.
With a prosecutor’s approval, police instead banned outdoor assemblies in surrounding streets, citing the risk of clashes between opposing groups.
“The police could not, under the law, prohibit this specific gathering,” Chrysochoidis said in an interview with ERTNews that the ministry published in full.
The minister said he personally believed the event should not have been allowed, but emphasized that police had to operate within the current legal framework. He called for the issue to be resolved quickly, warning that further appearances by Kasidiaris could generate more rallies and counter-rallies in other cities.
Opposition parties criticize the police response
PASOK, the Communist Party, SYRIZA and the New Left criticized the government for restricting anti-fascist demonstrators while allowing the indoor event to proceed. The Communist Party described the ban on nearby demonstrations as unacceptable, while PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis raised the issue in Parliament.
The dispute also intersects with Kasidiaris’ renewed political activity after his release. Greek courts and election authorities have repeatedly examined parties associated with him. In 2024, the Supreme Court barred the Spartans from the European elections, while an earlier parliamentary amendment aimed at excluding Kasidiaris-linked parties from national contests.
Kasidiaris is now associated with the Alliance of Greeks. Three independent lawmakers support the organization, but Parliament Speaker Nikitas Kaklamanis said it is not recognized as a parliamentary group because Greek rules require at least ten lawmakers. A recent poll placed the Alliance of Greeks at 4 percent.
