Over 1,000 rally in Athens for neo-Nazi party

Golden Dawn under investigation over killing of rapper; anti-fascist counterprotest prevented from reaching demonstration

By AP 27 October 2013, 7:58 am

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Protesters hold a banner as they march through Athens during an anti-racist protest on Saturday, October 26, 2013. (photo credit: AP/Kostas Tsironis)

ATHENS, Greece — More than 1,000 Golden Dawn supporters have demonstrated in central Athens against the prosecution of the leader of their Nazi-inspired party and its legislators.

The extreme-right, anti-immigrant Golden Dawn is under a criminal investigation regarding last month’s fatal stabbing of a Greek rap singer.

Party leader and legislator Nikos Michaloliakos and two other Golden Dawn lawmakers are in pre-trial custody as alleged members of a criminal organization. Six other Golden Dawn legislators, including party spokesman Ilias Kassidiaris, have been stripped of immunity from prosecution.

During Saturday’s peaceful protest, Kassidiaris told reporters it was designed to demand the immediate release of Michaloliakos and the two other jailed lawmakers.

An anti-fascist rally and march of similar size took place earlier Saturday, and police prevented it from reaching the Golden Dawn rally.