Greek police hold neo-Nazi after left-winger killed

Greek police hold neo-Nazi after left-winger killed

ATHENS - Greek police have arrested a neo-Nazi after a left-wing militant was stabbed to death in a fight near Athens, a police source said Wednesday.

The 34-year-old victim died in hospital from knife wounds after the fight broke out around midnight in the Keratsini suburb, west of Athens.

According to preliminary enquiries, the dead man was a member of a small left-wing group called Antarsia.

The suspect in the killing, a 45-year-old member of the Golden Dawn neo-Nazi group, was picked up by police and was in possession of a knife, police said.

Local news reports said the fighting started outside a cafe over a football argument which degenerated due to the protagonists' political leanings.

On Friday, in a neighbouring suburb, eight members of the communist party KKE were injured in an attack blamed on Golden Dawn members.

Golden Dawn is a rising force in Greek politics, capitalising on the country's recession plight and widespread anger towards mainstream parties for failing to tackle decades of corruption.

The neo-Nazi party last year had 18 deputies elected to parliament and currently ranks third in opinion polls.

It has been suspected of orchestrating attacks on migrants - though the party has repeatedly denied this - and several of its lawmakers are facing court action for violent behaviour.

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