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Early this morning, the police detained Secretary General of the Greek neo-Nazis Nikos Mihaloliakos, MP of the same party, Elias Kasidiaris, as well as Chairman of the local branch of Golden Dawn in the Nikia district, George Patelis. Ten days ago in Nikia, members of the neo-Nazi party killed rapper Pavlos Fyssas. A prosecutor's order has been issued for the arrest. Later today, the detainees will be questioned by an investigator. About an hour ago, another member of Golden Dawn, Elias Panayotaros, appeared alone in the General Directorate of the Greek police, where he was immediately put under arrest.

Michaloliakos and Kasidiaris are currently located in the premises of the anti-terrorism service on Mesogeion Avenue. According to journalistic information, another 31 members of Golden Dawn will be arrested in the coming hours, including other MPs. Members of Golden Dawn were charged with organisation and participating in a criminal group under Article 187, paragraph 1 of the Criminal Code.

Early on Saturday morning, the Prosecutor’s Office officially announced that Golden Dawn is a criminal organisation. This has been the first arrest of a leader of a political party in Greece since 1974, as well as the first arrest of MPs without having withdrawn their immunity first. It is significant that the persecution of Golden Dawn is covered by the anti-terrorism service.

"Democracy has its own defence mechanisms and justice does its duty," commented government spokesman Simos Kedikoglou on Skai TV. The arrest of the leader and members of Golden Dawn is in the headlines of all the international media. Since early morning on Saturday, journalists have besieged the building of the General Directorate of the Greek Police on Alexandras Avenue in Athens (the picture below).

To be continued.