Greece | 12/31/2021

Greece 2021 December

Key developments

 

  • A new far-right organization has emerged: “Thematofylakes” (meaning “Trustees” or “Fiduciaries” – full title “Trustees According to Article 120 of the Constitution”. An organized group of its members “arrested” by force the principal of a high school in Northern Greece, because he implemented anti-COVID-19 measures at the school.
  • “Thematofylakes” is structured as a network of local groups under a single leader. The organization is mostly active in Northern Greece. Its members are sworn-in, accepting a text called “Holy Declaration”. Their ideology is religious fundamentalism and radical nationalism and they are also deniers of the COVID-19 pandemic itself as well as anti-vaxxers. They wear military/police-like uniforms and use cars with the group’s insignia on them. A paramilitary structure is evident in the organization’s public appearances. The organization justifies its actions by claiming that Article 120 of the Greek Constitution (referring to the right of the citizens to resist by any means necessary in case of a violent coup) gives them the right to act according to their own selective interpretation of laws.
  • Members of “Thematofylakes” include members of other far-right, fascist and neo-nazi groups, such as from Kasisdiaris’ party “Ellines” and other former Golden Dawn members.