Belgian police arrested Golden Dawn convict Ioannis Lagos, just a few hours after the European Parliament published the voting results to lift his immunity. The ex MEP was arrested in his home in Brussels Tuesday noon and he tweeted “from the police car” confirming his arrest. the Belgian authorities enforced the European Arrest Warrant issued by Greek authorities. Procedures to be extradited to Greece is a matter of time.
The European Parliament voted to lift the immunity of Golden Dawn convict criminal MEP Ioannis Lagos. He was planning to flee to Norway, Greek media reported.
In a secret vote late on Monday evening MEPs voted 658 in favor of immunity waiver, 25 against and 10 abstentions. the vote result was announce don Tuesday morning.
Making use of his MEP immunity, Lagos left Greece on October 7, 2020, on the day a court would announce the sentences for dozens of Golden Dawn members and the party leadership for leading a “criminal organization.” Lagos had gone independent when GD got into real judicial trouble.
Greek authorities has issued an arrest warrant after the MEP had left the country.
The question is now whether Greek authorities have already issued a European Arrest Warrant for Lagos or they will do it after the immunity waiver. If there is a Warrant, Belgian authorities should arrest him as soon as possible and decide on his extradition to Greece.
Lagos is the second GD convict outside prison. Party vice Christos Pappas remains fugitive still 7 months after the court ruling.
PS Are Greeks quick enough or is Lagos (hare in English) quicker?
