Thirteen individuals have been sentenced to prison terms ranging from one to four years by the Mixed Jury Court of Thessaloniki for involvement in a criminal group operating under the guise of an extreme-right collective known as the ‘Nationalist Youth of Thessaloniki’.
All were found guilty of misdemeanours. The more serious charges — including robbery and human trafficking involving the recruitment of minors — were not substantiated during the trial and therefore dropped.
The court ruled that appeals filed by all defendants would have suspensive effect. One sentence was suspended, and another converted into a fine. Two defendants were acquitted outright.
The group’s activities came to light in May last year, following a lengthy investigation by the Hellenic Police (EL.AS.). The indictment detailed several incidents between September 2024 and March of the following year, including assaults targeting individuals linked to anti-authoritarian movements, two robberies, and vandalism featuring far-right slogans at schools and a political party office.
In total, 28 people were arrested in connection with the case — including 13 minors. Among the adults, two men — now aged 29 and 25 — were identified in the indictment as holding leadership roles. They had been held in pre-trial detention after their interrogations before the investigating magistrate but were released following the court’s verdict. The remaining adult defendants were placed under judicial restrictions and/or assigned therapeutic measures.
Judicial authorities separated the case concerning the minors, who will be tried separately before the competent Juvenile Court.