11 Years On: Pavlos Fyssas and the Golden Dawn Murder

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the tragic murder of Pavlos Fyssas, a 34-year-old musician and metalworker, who was fatally attacked by Giorgos Roupakias, a member of the neo-Nazi organisation Golden Dawn.

On the night of September 18, 2013, Fyssas was ambushed outside a café in Amfiali, Piraeus, by Roupakias and a group of around 50 Golden Dawn members. This brutal attack, part of a broader wave of violence by the extremist group, shocked Greece and drew widespread condemnation.

In observance of the anniversary, rallies and protest marches are planned in Keratsini and Kokkinia. To accommodate these events and manage public safety, the Hellenic Police have ordered the temporary closure of the metro stations Korydallos and Maniatika starting at 15:30. During this period, trains will pass through these stations without stopping. The stations will remain closed until further notice, reflecting the anticipated large crowds and heightened security measures.

The murder of Fyssas was a pivotal moment in Greece’s battle against far-right extremism. The attack ignited a wave of protests and highlighted the organised violence perpetrated by Golden Dawn.

The subsequent police investigation and legal proceedings exposed the group’s systematic criminal activities, leading to the arrest and prosecution of key leaders, including Nikos Michaloliakos. This crackdown resulted in the dismantling of Golden Dawn, marking a significant victory in the fight against extremist ideologies.

The metro station closures and today’s demonstrations highlight the enduring impact of Fyssas’s murder.