Trial of Golden Dawn Leaders Begins in Greece

Source: Wall Street Journal

Trial is adjourned on opening day as specially built courtroom is too small for the case

ATHENS—The long-awaited trial of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn party formally began on Monday in Athens, but with most of the party’s lawmakers absent from the first hearing and with the court immediately adjourning the proceedings amid protests outside the Korydallos prison where the trial was taking place.

Although the trial has been months in planning, the specially built courtroom inside the high-security prison near Athens, where the trial will take place, proved to be too small for the case. On Monday it was packed with dozens of lawyers, more than 100 witnesses, and journalists from around the world.

A total of 69 people—including 18 lawmakers the party had in the previous parliament—will stand trial on charges of participating and directing a criminal organization. Most of the lawmakers who will face trial were re-elected to parliament in Greek national elections in January.

Read more: http://www.wsj.com/articles/trial-of-golden-dawn-leaders-begins-in-greece-1429546195