PASOK demands government condemn Fredi Beleri over remarks on convicted Golden Dawn leader

Broadcast comments on Kasidiaris

New Democracy Member of the European Parliament Fredi Beleri commented on the prison release of convicted Golden Dawn leader Ilias Kasidiaris during an appearance on the television network ONE on 10 September 2026. The interview occurred five days before Kasidiaris was formally released from detention on 15 September 2026 after completing his term. Kasidiaris had been convicted of directing the criminal organisation Golden Dawn, an outfit whose members were involved in severe felonies including homicide. In the televised broadcast, Beleri characterised Kasidiaris as one of the few Greeks who served until the final day of his prison sentence. Beleri also addressed the broader debate over whether the former parliamentarian retains the right to resume activity within the national political arena following the completion of his custodial sentence.

Opposition demands for government disavowal

The opposition party PASOK issued a statement on 19 September 2026 condemning Beleri's remarks and demanding an immediate public disavowal from the Greek government spokesperson. PASOK classified the member of the European Parliament's statements as dangerous, arguing that fulfilling a court-mandated prison sentence does not constitute an act of valor.

New Democracy MEP F. Beleri, during his interview on television station ONE, praises convicted criminal Ilias Kasidiaris as one of the few Greeks who served until the last day of his prison term and recognizes in a praiser of Nazism, who dreams of overthrowing democracy, the right to be on the political scene.

PASOK called directly on the government spokesperson to take an official stance and remind the New Democracy MEP that individuals convicted of grave criminal offences do not perform heroic deeds merely by serving prison time.

The government spokesperson must immediately condemn his party's MEP for his dangerous views. And to remind him that criminals for severe criminal offences, such as the murder of people, do not perform an act of bravery by serving their sentence.

Legal barriers to political participation

The controversy connects directly to the debate surrounding Kasidiaris's expressed intentions to re-enter Greek political life following his 15 September release. PASOK emphasised that the existing institutional and legislative framework prohibits Kasidiaris from standing in national or local elections. According to the opposition party, the current statutes prevent the convicted former deputy from appearing on ballots as a parliamentary candidate, serving as an official party leader, or operating as a covert or concealed leader behind an affiliated political entity. PASOK asserted that these statutory prohibitions remain fully operational to protect democratic institutions from individuals convicted of directing criminal enterprises.

Parliamentary office meetings with National Front

Beyond the comments made by Beleri, PASOK submitted questions regarding contacts between prime ministerial staff and figures from far-right political groups. The opposition party cited reporting by the publication Thessaloniki regarding a direct meeting between Michalis Bekiris, the director of the Prime Minister's office in the Hellenic Parliament, and municipal councillor Yiannis Kourgiannidis.

Kourgiannidis, an official within the National Front who maintains communication with Kasidiaris, publicly confirmed that the meeting with Bekiris took place. PASOK asked the administration to clarify the purpose of the meeting, the instructions under which the director operated, and whether the prime minister had been informed of the engagement between his parliamentary director and the far-right councillor.