Giannis Lagos cannot lose MEP position despite being charged as a Golden Dawn member

Kostas Chrysogonos, a Greek professor of constitutional law and a Member of the European Parliament, clarified today that despite the conviction of Giannis Lagos, he is not going to lose his seat in the European Parliament.

Giannis Lagos, one of the convicted people in the trial against Golden Dawn, cannot leave the European Parliament and lose his seat, according to Chrysogonos.

“There is no way he can be removed from office,” the professor said.

He emphasized that the now independent MEP, who no longer associates with Golden Dawn, can be arrested and serve his sentence as a prisoner and an MEP at the same time as this position cannot be lost.

“In theory, he will be an MEP. He will be paid normally, I do not know what will happen to his associates,” he noted.

Speaking to ANT1, the constitutional expert noted that the election of MEPs, as well as sticking and incompatibilities are regulated by the laws of the Member States and are not regulated in a uniform way.

“Immunity will be lifted, of course it will take some time,” he added.

On Wednesday, a Greek court found the Far-Right political party Golden Dawn guilty of operating a criminal organization in the aftermath of the murder of Pavlos Fyssas, an anti-fascist rapper, as reported by Greek City Times.

Golden Dawn party leader Nikos Michaloliakos and seven former Member’s of Parliament were found guilty in running a criminal organization.

Specifically, Nikos Michaloliakos, Elias Kasidiari, Elias Panagiotaros, Artemis Mattheopoulos., Giannis Lagos, George Germenis, Christos Pappas were found guilty of this charge.

A total of 65 people sat on the bench, of which 45 for joining and participating in a criminal organization, and 20 of them only for directing a criminal organization.

George Roupakias was found guilty on all charges of the 2013 murder of Fyssas . The same decision was made by the Athens Court of Appeals against another 15 people.

Two people were acquitted.

The court also ruled that all those accused of attacks against members of the communist union organization PAME and Egyptian fishermen were guilty.

See the rally in front of the court house here.