Gov’t spokesperson accuses SYRIZA of hypocrisy over Michaloliakos’ release

Athens, Greece.– SYRIZA leader Stefanos Kasselakis “tried to use the release of the leader of the criminal ring organization Golden Dawn for political reasons,” Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson and Pavlos Marinakis said on Thursday, responding to comments.

“The rulings are made by judges, not by governments and parties, since powers are distinct in our democracy,” Marinakis said. He added that if the Criminal Code amendments introduced by New Democracy governments could have been implemented in this case, Nikos Michaloliakos would not have been able to even apply for release. SYRIZA, he also said, did not vote for the amendments ruling out the so-called party Golden Dawn from running in national elections.

The main opposition party “does not have a monopoly on democratic sensitivity and anti-fascist struggles,” Marinakis said, and “instead of wagging their finger with more hypocrisy, they should apologize for all of this.”