Thirteen members of Greece's Nationalist Youth of Thessaloniki sentenced to up to four years

A mixed jury court in Thessaloniki sentenced 13 of the 15 defendants linked to the far‑right group “Ethnic Youth of Thessaloniki” (ENET) to prison terms ranging from one to four years. Two defendants were acquitted of all charges, and the remaining members were found guilty only of misdemeanors after the court concluded that the more serious allegations – including robbery and alleged human‑trafficking involving the recruitment of minors – were not proven.

The court also suspended the execution of all sentences pending appeal, converting one term into a monetary fine and leaving another on hold. The case stemmed from a May 2024 police operation that arrested 28 youths, 13 of whom were under 18, and uncovered evidence of attacks on left‑wing activists, vandalism with Nazi‑style symbols, and attempts to recruit minors for armed activities. The group’s leadership was described as operating under a “far‑right collective” identity, with documented assaults, looting, and online propaganda targeting ethnic, religious and LGBTQ+ communities.

The convictions mark the latest legal action against the extremist network, which had been under investigation by the Greek anti‑racism NGO EL AS after reports of violent confrontations and hate‑motivated crimes between September 2024 and March 2025.