Golden Dawn leader jailed pending trial

The head of Greece’s extremist right-wing Golden Dawn party has been jailed, pending trial on charges of running a criminal organisation in an investigation into his political party triggered by the killing of a left-wing rapper.

By The Newsroom

Published 3rd Oct 2013, 17:41 BST

Nikos Michaloliakos, who is a sitting member of the Greek parliament, was remanded in custody in the early hours of yesterday, after overnight testimony that lasted for more than six hours.

Armed police led him away from the courthouse in handcuffs. His wife and daughter, who are also party members, as well as other Golden Dawn MPs, stood outside the building and shouted words of encouragement to him as he was led away.

On Wednesday, the court ordered the release of three party MPs and the jailing of a fourth, Giorgos Patelis, in the same case. All have denied the charges against them.

Michaloliakos and five of his party MPs were among 20 people arrested in a crackdown on the neo-Nazi party following the fatal stabbing of rap singer Pavlos Fyssas on September 17.

Greece MPs