Greek lawmaker leaves far right Golden Dawn party after 18 years, denounces violence

by  Associated Press Greek lawmaker from Golden Dawn leaves party Associated Press - 15 March 2014 14:07-04:00

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A Golden Dawn lawmaker has left the party, claiming he was shocked by recent allegations about violent activities by members of the extreme right party, including attacks on immigrants.

Chrysovalantis Alexopoulos will remain in parliament as an independent.

Golden Dawn's remaining 17 lawmakers have responded by calling Alexopoulos a "liar," ''defamer" and "coward" and calling on him to resign.

According to a resume posted on his personal website, now taken down, Alexopoulos joined Golden Dawn in 1996.

Greece's financial crisis helped Golden Dawn gain nearly 7 percent of the vote and 18 seats in Greece's 300-member Parliament.

A crackdown by authorities on the extreme right-wing party started after last year's fatal stabbing of an anti-fascist musician by a Golden Dawn supporter in Athens.

News Topics: General news, Government and politics

People, Places and Companies: Greece, Athens, Western Europe, Europe

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