Greek far-Right Golden Dawn party's trial adjourned

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Greek far-Right Golden Dawn party's trial resumed on Thursday at a specially converted hall inside Korydallos prison at Piraeus after a two weeks break.

But the trial was then adjourned until May 12 amidst fresh anti-fascist protests and calls by local authorities to be transferred elsewhere.

Once again GD's chief Nikos Michaloliakos and other prominent MPs who are charged of establishing and running a criminal gang, did not appear in court.

A total of 69 people face justice over at least two murders and dozens of violent attacks against political opponents and immigrants, money laundering, extortions and illegal possession of weapons.

Among them a key figure is Yorgos Roupakias, a GD supporter who in September of 2013 allegedly stabbed to death an antifascist musician at Piraeus.

Pavlos Fyssas' killing sparked the judicial crackdown on the ultra-Right party and a few weeks later its entire 18 member strong parliamentary group were taken into pre-trial custody.

The trial, one of the biggest conducted in Greece in recent years, has attracted media and demonstrators for and against Golden Dawn.

On Thursday labor unions staged a new protest outside the prison complex, as a young man claimed that he was attacked by a group of anti-fascist activists who mistook him for a GD supporter.

On April 20 when the trial started five witnesses reported that they were assaulted by GD members outside the courthouse and a GD supporter by anti fascist activists nearby.

The Mayor of the Municipality of Korydallos Stavros Kassimatis, backed by citizens living nearby, argued once again on Thursday that due to the trial the everyday life of thousands of locals has been disturbed.

For a second time in a month schools situated next to the maximum security prison complex remained closed.

The trial will last for at least a year and parents of schoolchildren stressed that they could not cope with the traffic jam caused by stringent security measures and protests in the area, as well as the fear for the safety of their children.

The presiding judge said that it was up to the government to make such a decision. The Ministry of Justice has said that the Korydallos prison courthouse was chosen as the most suitable venue, since several other high profile trials have been held at the same location.

The prosecutor proposed on Thursday that the proceedings be held in afternoons or Saturdays when schools are closed.

Government officials were examining the idea of transferring the trial to an Athens courthouse.

GD entered the Greek parliament for first time riding on the wave of discontent of austerity-hit Greek voters with mainstream parties in the 2012 general elections.

GD has dismissed all charges as politically motivated. The party held its ground despite the crackdown. In January's general elections the party won 17 seats in the 300-member strong assembly. Endit

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