World Jewish News
Golden Dawn's leader Nikos Michaloliakos is being held in Athens's high security Korydallos prison over the anti-fascist musician murder.
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Greece: parliament lifts immunity of MPs from neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party
17.10.2013, Jews and Society The Greek parliament voted to lift the immunity of six MPs from the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party who are facing charges of belonging to a criminal organization involved in beating migrants, extortion and arms smuggling.
The chamber also lifted the immunity of three other party lawmakers on lesser charges, amid a month-long crackdown on Golden Dawn's activities following the murder Pavlos Fyssas, an anti-fascist musician, by a self-confessed neo-Nazi supporter in September.
Golden Dawn has 18 lawmakers overall in the 300-seat chamber. ,
The chamber also lifted the immunity of three other party lawmakers on lesser charges, amid a month-long crackdown on Golden Dawn's activities following the murder of an anti-fascist musician in September.
Golden Dawn has 18 lawmakers overall in the 300-seat chamber. Authorities began the probe into Golden Dawn after the murder of hip hop artist Pavlos Fyssas by a self-confessed neo-Nazi supporter last month. Witnesses have since testified implicated senior party members in the beating of migrants, extortion and possible arms smuggling.
The party’s leader Nikos Michaloliakos, his deputy Christos Pappas and lawmaker Yiannis Lagos are already being held in Athens's high security Korydallos prison over the musician murder.
A trial date has yet to be set. If convicted, the suspects face sentences of at least 10 years in prison.
Golden Dawn rose from obscurity on an anti-immigrant and anti-austerity agenda to enter parliament for the first time last year. Its banner features a swastika-like emblem and its leader has denied the Holocaust took place.
On Thursday, the Greek parliament is expected to vote on a bill that blocks state funding for parties whose leaders or lawmakers are being prosecuted on felony charges, which would deprive Golden Dawn of a major source of financing.
EJP
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