Terror group leader Maziotis trial begins at Korydallos Prison

The trial of Nikos Maziotis, the self-professed leader of the Revolutionary Struggle guerrilla group, began on Friday in a specially-designed courtroom at Korydallos Prison.

Maziotis faces trial for a series of crimes he is alleged to have committed while on the run from authorities between the summer of 2012 and the summer of 2014 after violating the terms of a prison furlough. 

Maziotis was in court along with fellow defendants Antonis Stamboulos and Giorgos Petrakakos while his partner, Paula Roupa, remains at large.

The group leader, who is accused of running a terrorist organization, also faces trial in connection with a car bombing outside the Bank of Greece in April 2014, several counts of attempted manslaughter and the injury of passers-by when he opened fire while being chased by police in the busy Athens tourist district of Monastiraki in June 2014.

In a statement in court, Maziotis lashed out against the Greek state and banking system. 

Maziotis's trial is being conducted in the same complex as the criminal trial of neonazi Golden Dawn.