Giorgos Roupakias is the name of the 45-year-old man who stabbed to death Pavlos Fyssas, the 34-year-old hip-hop artist and anti-fascist, in Keratsini, Athens, on September 17 at midnight.
The murderer reportedly participated in the neo-Nazi political party, Golden Dawn, during the last two years, as he visited the party’s offices on a regular basis, according to his own words, and has attended the party’s camps. However, Golden Dawn denies having any relation with him. According to information, the perpetrator said that he is not an active member of the party, but expressed his sympathy to it. Meanwhile, countless photos who show him participating actively in party activities are circulating in the Greek media.
Roupakias is accused of manslaughter with intent and of violation of the gun law. He will submit his defense on September 21 at 9.00 am.
His wife and her cousin, who have been arrested as well, are accused of perjury and withholding information, because they lied to the police and tried to hide material and objects belonging to the perpetrator. The head of the local Golden Dawn in Piraeus is accused of violation of the gun law, as it resulted from a police investigation at the party’s offices all over Greece. The three individuals will submit their defense on September 20.
The alleged perpetrator, who is the son of immigrant parents from Germany and father of two children, said “I was in self-defense, they surrounded me and I pulled a knife to defend myself.”
According to testimonies, his reaction did not seem to be due to the need of survival or self-defense. He is said to have acted coldly, as he pulled out the knife and stabbed Fyssas’ chest. “It was a professional hit,” “it was a hit that shows intent to kill,” as experienced doctors described.
“A number of 30-40 individuals with scooters and cars arrived there,” as Fyssas’ friend, who was there with him that night said. “We were seven and they were 40.” He described that the killer caught Fyssas’ hands and stabbed him twice, in the heart and in the stomach.
“He was alive for 20 minutes. The ambulance arrived 50 minutes later. It was murder by a professional,” Fyssas’ friend added. He also said that the attackers had distinctive signs of Golden Dawn on them, that is, the meander symbol and were wearing black t-shirts. “This is the truth,” he concluded, adding that members of Golden Dawn search to find victims and the victims this time were Fyssas and his friends.
It is said that Roupakias was paid by Golden Dawn, as well as other members of his family. He has been working at the party office canteen, his wife has been working as a cleaning lady there and his daughter as well, according to what a close friend of his said. “He has participated in Golden Dawn’s food distribution and in other actions of the local organization and received some money,” Roupakias’ friend added.
“What I have to say is that my friend was very courageous and stayed there to cope with 30-40 individuals,” Fyssas’ friend said. “Many people were beating him and when he received the knife hits, everybody started running to leave by his side because nobody wanted to take responsibility,” he added. “They get a lot of money to do such things. The murderer was arrested by a policewoman, who Pavlos indicated before he died. He lifted his arm and said, ‘he stabbed me,” Fyssas’ friend concluded.
Fyssas funeral took place on September 19, at 11.00 am, at the cemetery of Schisto, west of Athens, where a crowd of people attended to say the last goodbye to the 34-year-old.