Rise in Greek anti-gay attacks blamed on Golden Dawn party

Greek human rights groups have condemned a rise in attacks on gay people after two young men were savagely beaten in Athens.

The anti-racist alliance Keerfa blamed the far-right party Golden Dawn for increasing homophobic violence after two men were set upon by a dozen shaven-headed men in black T-shirts over the weekend.

The couple, aged 25 and 30, were sitting on a bench in the capital's Pangrati district when two men on a motorcycle threw detergent at them, activists said.

Minutes later, they were set upon by a group of men in black T-shirts. One victim was badly beaten and had his leg broken; his partner was less seriously injured, police said.

Supporters of Golden Dawn often stage vigilante patrols dressed in black T-shirts and have been regularly accused of street violence.

The attack is the fifth in Athens in three months.