Nikos Michaloliakos, the leader of the Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn, has been released from prison less than halfway into his sentence. The far-right politician and Holocaust denier was allowed by a judicial council to serve the remainder of his 13-year sentence at home due to health issues. This decision, announced by state media, comes after five years of imprisonment and has sparked anger among left-wing parties, who believe that the judiciary shouldn't exhibit compassion towards individuals involved in hate-driven violence.

This isn't the first time Michaloliakos has received a temporary release; he was briefly freed in May 2024 before judicial authorities deemed his behavior unsatisfactory, leading to his return to prison. He founded a party that has been linked to multiple violent incidents, including the murder of anti-fascist figures, underlining the significant concern surrounding the normalization of such ideologies in Greece.

The release has been met with swift backlash. Greece’s New Left party labeled it as a serious blow to democracy and justice, emphasizing that those who represent hatred and fascism should not receive leniency. They, along with the communist party of Greece, are advocating for an overturn of the decision, underscoring that the crimes perpetuated by Michaloliakos and Golden Dawn should not fade from public consciousness.