Counter-terrorism Squad Raids Three Detained Golden Dawn MPs' Homes

The search of homes of detained MPs Panagiotis Iliopoulos, Giorgos Germenis and Stathis Boukouras came by order of the investigating prosecutor and is part of a larger case involving the party. The three are scheduled to testify as on charges of participating in a criminal organisation on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The extreme-right party's leader and another three deputies are also being detained before trial on similar charges, of participating in or running a criminal organisation. Parliament voted to lift immunity so they may all be tried at regular court.

Moving to drain power from one of the most violent rightist organizations in Europe, the Greek government conducted an extraordinary crackdown on the neo-fascist party Golden Dawn arrested six members of Parliament, including the leader of the group, and at least 15 other people.

Since 2012, when it gained seats in Parliament, Golden Dawn has engaged in a campaign of intimidation against immigrants. In April, the Council of Europe's human rights commissioner described it as "a neo-Nazi and violent political party" and urged that it be banned under international human rights treaties, but the arrest of elected lawmakers is a rare step for any European democracy.