World Bulletin / News Desk

Nikolaos Mihaloliakos, the leader of Greece’s far-right Golden Dawn Party, has been sent to jail as he awaits trial on charges of belonging to a criminal gang. This is the first time an elected party leader has been imprisoned in Greece since a military coup five decades ago.

Denying membership to the so called neo-Nazi gang, Mihaloliakos shouted in court ‘Long live Greece, victory!’ Meanwhile, around two hundred Golden Dawn supporters gathered outside the courthouse chanting ‘Blood, Honor, Golden Dawn!’

The charges come after an anti-fascist rap artist was stabbed to death by apparent affiliates from the Golden Dawn Party. This has resulted in a crackdown against the party.

The party currently has 18 seats in the parliament as they challenge the coalition government’s policy regarding the country’s debt crisis.