Court to announce sentences in Golden Dawn trial on Thursday

Upon the announcement of the sentences, many of those convicted may end their day in jail as the court must also decide whether or not their sentences should be suspended.

The court is expected to go into session at 12:30, starting with the recommendations of the prosecutor on the bench, Adamantia Economou, regarding which mitigating circumstances should or should not be admitted in imposing the sentence.

For Giorgos Roupakias, who carried out the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, this process will determine whether he will face life imprisonment or 15 years in jail. The seven leadership figures of Golden Dawn, who were found guilty of running what was essentially a criminal organisation disguised as a political party, the sentences will range from a maximum of 15 years in prison to much lower sentences of as little as two years, depending on what mitigating circumstances are admitted.

In the case of those found guilty only of participating in a criminal organisation, mitigating circumstances could lower a sentence of five to 10 years to between one and five years.

The process on Thursday is expected to be shorter, with a brief second statement by the lawyers for the defence after the prosecutor's recommendations have been presented. The court will then announce its decision concerning the mitigating circumstances and proceed with sentencing.

Once the sentences have been announced, the court has a right to demand that any defendants that are not present be brought before it.

Source: ana-mpa