Greek parliament suspends state aid to neo-Nazi party
Golden Dawn party lawmakers face charges in probe of group's criminal activities
The Greek parliament has adopted a measure suspending state aid to the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, after six of its lawmakers faced charges in a high-profile probe of the group’s alleged criminal activities.
The measure was adopted by 235 votes out of 300 in the assembly. Members of Golden Dawn called the move “unconstitutional” and abstained from voting, walking out of the chamber after the debate.
The measure says state aid is suspended “to a party where the leader... or a tenth of the elected members are under investigation for constituting or participating in a criminal organisation” - which is the case for Golden Dawn.
The Greek parliament voted on cutting funds for the country’s third most popular party, with 18 seats in the legislature, after authorities began a crackdown on the far-right group following the killing of an anti-fascist musician by a self-confessed neo-Nazi.
Last week the parliament had lifted the legal immunity of the six Golden Dawn lawmakers, paving the way for their prosecution.
Court documents have linked Golden Dawn to two murders, three attempted murders and numerous assaults.