Ilias Kasidiaris

Parliament votes to lift immunity of 11 extreme-right MPs

With an overwhelming majority, MPs have voted to lift the immunity of 11 parliamentarians from the extreme-right Spartans party over their alleged links to jailed neo-Nazi figure Ilias Kasidiaris.

The decision lifts the immunity of 11 of the 12 MPs elected with the Spartans in June 2013, one of whom has since declared himself to be an independent MP.

Parliament ethics panel agrees on lifting immunity of far-right MPs 

The Greek Parliament's Ethics Committee unanimously agreed on the lifting the immunity of 11 lawmakers of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party, following a request by the Supreme Court which is investigating accusations of electoral fraud during this year's legislative elections.

The request will not have to be submitted to the Parliament's plenary for a vote. 

Spartiates MPs under scrutiny for possible electoral fraud

Eleven MPs of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party have been summoned to provide explanations as suspects by Supreme Court Prosecutor Georgia Adeilini regarding their potential involvement in electoral fraud during this year's legislative elections. A request has already been made to Parliament to lift their immunity.

Expulsions, resignations bring Spartans to the brink

The far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party appears to be on course for dissolution after the fallout triggered by the accusations leveled by its president, Vassilis Stigas, at three of his deputies of being under the influence of "outside centers," and employing "Greek mafia and Don Corleone" practices.

By "outside centers" he meant jailed neo-Nazi Ilias Kasidiaris.

On the ineligibility of convicted neo-Nazis

In any other European state, there would be no debate about allowing convicted neo-Nazis to submit their candidacy for any level of government, be it in local, national or European elections. This is often overlooked when discussing the possible election of members from the now-defunct neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, and its convicted former spokesman, Ilias Kasidiaris.

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