The civil parties have walked out of the court where the Golden Dawn trial is taking place, after a clash with a defense attorney over the non recording of proceedings. According to the civil parties, there is a risk of the trial’s content being distorted, while essential procedural principles may be violated.
During proceedings, the defense attorney Yannis Aggos, Giorgos Sotiropoulos asked for the civil action against his client t be dropped, as there was no apparent financial motive, which is necessary for an organization to be declared “criminal” (in accordance for the Treaty of Palermo). Mr. Sotiropoulos made his argument orally, but did not submit it writing, as another defense attorney called for a short break.
In concluding his statement, Mr. Sotiropoulos added that article 29 of the Constitution, regarding political freedom of parties, was being violated and that while not all of the defendants are MPs, they are members of the same party and as such, demanded that the civil action be dropped.
This prompted fierce reactions from the civil parties, which argued that not recording proceedings may cause serious problems in the outcome of the trial and stressed the need to upon procedural principles. The court president stressed that as of the next scheduled proceedings, on the 16th of July, oral statements can be made and taken into consideration after the relevant documents have be submitted to the bench.
