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Four MPs from Greece's Golden Dawn brought to court | |
(about 13 hours later) | |
Four MPs from Greece's far-right Golden Dawn party have been brought to court in Athens to face charges of criminal activity amid a clampdown on the party. | |
Other charges against them include murder, assault and money-laundering. | |
They were arrested over the weekend along with the party's leader and his deputy - both of whom are due to appear in court later this week. | |
In all 22 people were detained amid anger over the murder on 18 September of anti-racist musician Pavlos Fyssas. | |
A man held for the stabbing told police he was a Golden Dawn supporter, though the party strongly denies any link. | A man held for the stabbing told police he was a Golden Dawn supporter, though the party strongly denies any link. |
The four MPs - Ilias Panagiotaros, party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris, Yannis Lagos and Nikos Michos - were being formally charged on Tuesday. | |
A small group of supporters applauded as the MPs arrived at the Greek capital's main courthouse complex, escorted by masked guards, Greece's Kathimerini news website reports. | |
Mr Kasidiaris previously caused controversy last year when he attacked two female left-wing politicians during a live TV debate, slapping one and throwing water over another. | Mr Kasidiaris previously caused controversy last year when he attacked two female left-wing politicians during a live TV debate, slapping one and throwing water over another. |
The party's leader, Nikolaos Michaloliakos, and his deputy Christos Pappas are expected to appear in court on Wednesday or Thursday. | |
Prosecutors will then decide whether to keep those arrested in custody until they face trial. | Prosecutors will then decide whether to keep those arrested in custody until they face trial. |
Details from witness testimony have been emerging about the way in which the party operated, the BBC's Mark Lowen reports from Athens. | Details from witness testimony have been emerging about the way in which the party operated, the BBC's Mark Lowen reports from Athens. |
The testimony speaks of a strict hierarchical structure - or "'Fuehrer principle" as the indictment calls it - as well as assault squads and military-style training, our correspondent says. | The testimony speaks of a strict hierarchical structure - or "'Fuehrer principle" as the indictment calls it - as well as assault squads and military-style training, our correspondent says. |
Searches of the homes of some MPs have found Nazi paraphernalia, he adds. | Searches of the homes of some MPs have found Nazi paraphernalia, he adds. |
'Shame of neo-Nazism' | 'Shame of neo-Nazism' |
Last week details emerged of the careful planning behind Greece's unprecedented clampdown on the party - the first time since 1974 that a party leader and MPs have been arrested. | Last week details emerged of the careful planning behind Greece's unprecedented clampdown on the party - the first time since 1974 that a party leader and MPs have been arrested. |
According to Greek media reports, several police officers thought to have had links to Golden Dawn were suspended ahead of the operation to prevent them potentially tipping off the targets. | According to Greek media reports, several police officers thought to have had links to Golden Dawn were suspended ahead of the operation to prevent them potentially tipping off the targets. |
Police also arrested one of their own colleagues who was reportedly working as a bodyguard for the party, during a raid on its offices in the western town of Agrinio a week ago. | Police also arrested one of their own colleagues who was reportedly working as a bodyguard for the party, during a raid on its offices in the western town of Agrinio a week ago. |
After the raid on Mr Michaloliakos's home, police said they had found three pistols, ammunition and thousands of euros in cash. | After the raid on Mr Michaloliakos's home, police said they had found three pistols, ammunition and thousands of euros in cash. |
The crackdown has was sparked by outrage at the murder of rapper Pavlos Fyssas, 34, whose stage name was Killah P. | The crackdown has was sparked by outrage at the murder of rapper Pavlos Fyssas, 34, whose stage name was Killah P. |
George Roupakias, 45, who said he was a supporter of Golden Dawn, was arrested in connection with the killing. | George Roupakias, 45, who said he was a supporter of Golden Dawn, was arrested in connection with the killing. |
On Friday, Golden Dawn - which won nearly 7% of the vote in 2012 elections - threatened to pull its 18 MPs out of the 300-strong parliament. | On Friday, Golden Dawn - which won nearly 7% of the vote in 2012 elections - threatened to pull its 18 MPs out of the 300-strong parliament. |
The governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, which has 155 seats, would then face by-elections. | The governing coalition headed by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, which has 155 seats, would then face by-elections. |
Speaking on a visit to the US on Monday, Mr Samaras vowed to eradicate the "shame of neo-Nazism". | Speaking on a visit to the US on Monday, Mr Samaras vowed to eradicate the "shame of neo-Nazism". |
In recent months, Golden Dawn has been accused of perpetrating attacks on migrants and political opponents. | In recent months, Golden Dawn has been accused of perpetrating attacks on migrants and political opponents. |
Golden Dawn officially denies being a neo-Nazi movement, though its badge resembles a swastika, and some senior members have praised Adolf Hitler. | Golden Dawn officially denies being a neo-Nazi movement, though its badge resembles a swastika, and some senior members have praised Adolf Hitler. |
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