Kassidiaris on trial for assaulting Kanelli

Golden Dawn spokesman Elias Kassidiaris would be taken to court on Friday, where he is expected to address the abuse charges that were brought against him on his assault several years ago against Greek Communist party (KKE) MP Liana Kanelli.

Kassidiaris assaulted Kanelli during a televised news program in June 2012 after being heavily provoked by several other panelists. During a live political discussion, he tossed a glass of water at current District Governor of Attica Rena Dourou after she insulted him by saying that his political party would take Greece 500 years backwards. After doing so, Kanelli reacted and stood up and whipped Kassidiaris with a newspaper. This is when Kassidiaris reacted and assaulted her.

After the incident, he disappeared and later reemerged from hiding by pressing charges against his two victims.

The Golden Dawn MP was also in court on Thursday for the Takis Baltakos video scandal, where the previous government’s General Secretary was videotaped making disparaging and controversial comments about the government and justice system.

The courts allowed Kassidiaris bail, but he was promptly taken back to Korydallos prison since he faces other serious charges that concern the Golden Dawn party as a whole.