Greek far-right leader arrested on criminal organization forming charges

PanARMENIAN.Net - The leader of the extreme right Golden Dawn party, Nikos Mihaloliakos, has been arrested on charges of forming a criminal organisation, Greek police say, according to Belfast Telegraph.

Warrants for the arrest of another five Golden Dawn parliament deputies have been issued. The police counter terrorism unit is looking for the deputies. More warrants are expected.

The arrests come several days after the killing of a left-wing activist rapper by an alleged Golden Dawn member.

According to BBC News, the killing of Pavlos Fyssas - whose stage name was Killah P - has sparked protests in Athens and across Greece.

George Roupakias, who said he was a supporter of Golden Dawn, was arrested.

The government launched a crackdown, including raids on Golden Dawn premises and the suspension of police believed to be sympathisers.

Greek police 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 on Tuesday.

The government also began an inquiry into the activities of Golden Dawn, which won nearly 7% of the vote in 2012 elections.

In recent months, Golden Dawn has been accused of perpetrating attacks on migrants and political opponents - including an attack on Communist Party members earlier this month which is said to have left nine people in hospital.