Ilias Kasidiaris was released from prison on Tuesday (15/9), with supporters waiting outside Domokos Prison chanting slogans in his favor. His release has sparked debate over whether he can form a political party or run as a candidate in upcoming elections — a decision that will ultimately rest with the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos).
Kasidiaris’ next steps
In a statement, his defense attorney Vaso Pantazi argued that, according to the defense’s position, her client is the only Greek prisoner to be released having served his full sentence without a final, irrevocable conviction.
In the same statement, Vaso Pantazi announced that Ilias Kasidiaris will hold a press conference following his release, during which he will outline his next political moves — specifically addressing reports that he is considering running in the next parliamentary elections.
What the law says
The key legal question is whether Ilias Kasidiaris — a former senior figure of the Golden Dawn party who was convicted of leading a criminal organization — can, following his release, take part in the leadership of a political party or seek election as a member of parliament. In 2023, the government amended electoral legislation to grant the Supreme Court the authority to bar from elections any parties or political formations whose de facto leadership is connected to individuals convicted of offenses such as leading a criminal organization.
It should be recalled that Kasidiaris was sentenced at first instance to 13 years in prison for leading a criminal organization, which is why he was unable to stand as a candidate in the 2023 elections. At that time, however, he backed the “Spartans” party, and the Supreme Court subsequently ruled that he was the party’s actual leader. In 2025, the court annulled the election of all “Spartans” MPs.
The same legal framework remains in force today. The ban is not linked to when Kasidiaris is released from prison, but to the duration of the sentence imposed. The law stipulates that the disqualification period is calculated from the day following the first-instance conviction, and that whether or not the sentence has been served does not affect this calculation. Therefore, given the 13-year sentence handed down in October 2020, the prevailing legal interpretation bars him from participating in an electoral list or from holding declared or de facto leadership of a party contesting elections until October 2033. The final ruling on any future candidacy, however, will lie with the Supreme Court.
Chrysochoidis: Judges will decide whether Kasidiaris can enter politics
The Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, speaking on SKAI TV on Tuesday (15/9), addressed Kasidiaris’ release and the possibility of his return to the political arena. “I don’t know if he’ll be able to run. That will ultimately be decided by the judges — the ones who will in future recognize a party or whatever else is needed for Kasidiaris to stand as a candidate,” he said.
He stressed the matter would be judged “on the basis of the laws in force,” while noting that he was not entirely certain of “what the 2023 law drafted by Makis Voridis actually provides,” and therefore chose not to take a position on whether the conditions for Kasidiaris’ political comeback had been met. He did, however, emphasize “that we are witnessing a shift — not simply to the right, but a shift toward violence, a shift toward the far right.”
Doudonis: Kasidiaris cannot enter politics
PASOK Member of Parliament Panagiotis Doudonis took a clear-cut position from the floor of the Greek Parliament, stating that Ilias Kasidiaris can neither lead a political party nor stand as a parliamentary candidate. He argued that the law is unambiguous and that the existing electoral framework leaves no room for alternative interpretation. “Kasidiaris cannot engage in any political activity whatsoever. The law is clear,” he stated. The PASOK MP added that “democracy does not seek revenge, but it does not forget, and it makes provisions,” warning that “anyone who believes there exists a ‘foolish democracy’ that can be tricked with thuggery and schemes is gravely mistaken.”
Doudonis further clarified that “Kasidiaris cannot enter politics — not as a party leader, not as a covert party leader, and not as a rank-and-file parliamentary candidate for a party.” He explained that the first two scenarios — open or covert leadership — are addressed under Case B of Article 32 of the Electoral Law, while the third scenario — standing as an ordinary candidate on a party list — is covered under Case C of the relevant legislation. He therefore challenged those raising the question of Kasidiaris’ possible political activity to “explain why they are doing so — whether out of simple curiosity or with ulterior motives. Because the law is absolutely clear.”
What constitutional law experts Alivizatos and Papaspyrou say
Constitutional law scholar Nikos Alivizatos, speaking on Mega TV, stated: “I was among those who argued that only actions should be prosecuted, because if we start prosecuting ideas, we would end up in dark territory that we have experienced in the past.” Referring to the Greek institutional framework and the 2023 legislative amendment, he noted that no party can participate in elections if any person convicted of participation in a criminal organization appears on its electoral lists.
With specific regard to Ilias Kasidiaris, he raised the question of how to interpret the phrase “duration of the sentence”: whether it refers to the years imposed by the court or the actual time served. His legal assessment was unequivocal: “The 14 years of the sentence are the years imposed by the court — not the years actually served. Therefore, he cannot run.” He added that the competent authority to rule on the matter is the Supreme Court, at the time of the official certification of candidates.
A similar view was expressed by Nikos Papaspyrou, Associate Professor of Constitutional Law and Director of the Constitutional Research Laboratory at the Athens University Law School (NKUA). In an article published in the newspaper “Ta Nea,” he wrote: “What happens to someone convicted of leading a criminal organization upon release from prison after serving their sentence? Can they participate in the leadership of a party? Can such a party take part in elections? Can that person stand as a parliamentary candidate? And how long do the legal prohibitions remain in force? The short answer is that release from prison is irrelevant. The detailed answer is as follows: a person with such a conviction is not permitted to participate in the leadership of a political party for the entire duration of the sentence, starting from the date of the first-instance judgment. If, therefore, the conviction was handed down in 2020 for a 13-year sentence, the prohibitions extend until 2033.”
The existing legal framework is comprehensive
Taken together, the various expert positions suggest that the existing legal framework is comprehensive and requires no further legislative intervention by the government or Parliament. This was essentially confirmed by government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who noted that “whatever could be done legislatively, we have done.” Under these circumstances, the burden of responsibility rests with the competent division of the Supreme Court, which — once national elections are called — will be tasked with reviewing party statutes and electoral lists.
Constitutional law expert Spyros Vlachopoulos’ view
Constitutional law scholar Spyros Vlachopoulos, speaking on ERT, pointed out that “current legislation provides that he may stand as an independent candidate — there is no legal obstacle to that. Not through a party, but on his own, in any electoral constituency. However, this would be futile, in the sense that in order to be elected as an MP, a candidate — including independents — must have secured at least 3% of valid votes nationwide, which is virtually impossible.”
He went on to note that the law also stipulates that no electoral list can be officially recognized if its declared or covert leadership includes someone convicted of certain criminal offenses — among them, leading a criminal organization, for which Kasidiaris received a 13-year prison sentence. “Therefore, if the Supreme Court determines that the party formation has Ilias Kasidiaris as its covert leader, that formation will not be certified by Division A1 of the Supreme Court.” He then addressed a third scenario: “Let’s consider the case where he stands as a parliamentary candidate on a party list. Formally, there is no obstacle. However, the law states that party formations may be denied recognition if their activities and functioning do not serve the free operation of the democratic system — and this could apply in cases where a parliamentary candidate has been convicted of leading a criminal organization.”
Vlachopoulos concluded by emphasizing that “in that case, a list on which he appears as a parliamentary candidate could be submitted, but that list could again be denied recognition by the Supreme Court if it determines that the formation does not serve the free operation of the democratic system. The real question is how the Supreme Court will make that judgment, and on the basis of what evidence. In the case of covert leadership — if it is determined that, despite not appearing openly, he is the covert leader — then in that scenario, a ban could be imposed.”
