Judges to rule on protected witnesses in Golden Dawn trial

Judges presiding over the ongoing trial into the criminal activities of Greek neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn are due to rule on Wednesday on how five witnesses in protective custody will be testifying.

The issue arose after the defense in September demanded that the five material witnesses be questioned in open court, revealing their identities and possibly putting themselves at risk of undue pressure or even reprisals.

The demand was rejected, but judges now have to decide on whether to approve a more moderate request for a judicial official to be present while the witnesses testify via video link behind closed doors at police headquarters in central Athens.

Judges and the public at the specially designed court in Korydallos Prison where the trial is being held will only be able to hear the witnesses’ voices, which will be distorted in order to further protect their identity.