Greece cuts state funds for neo-Nazi party
Parliament's move likely to deprive 'Golden Dawn' of major financial resource
The Greek parliament has voted overwhelmingly to suspend state funding for the far-right Golden Dawn party, the BBC reported Wednesday.
The new law was passed by 235 votes to zero in the 300-seat assembly during a late-night sitting on Tuesday, according to the BBC.
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Golden Dawn's leader and two MPs are in custody awaiting trial on charges of being part of a criminal organization.
Their arrests follow the murder of an anti-fascist musician, allegedly by a supporter of the party.
The party strongly denies any connection to the accused man.
However, the BBC reported, the fatal stabbing last month has led to increasing calls for the party to be banned outright.
The website of Greek newspaper Ekathimerini reported that parliament's move looks likely to deprive Golden Dawn of a major financial resource.
Athens has set aside 11 million euros (about $15M) for elected parties in 2013 including 873,000 euros (roughly $1.2M) for Golden Dawn, the website said.
The BBC said the controversial party has a strong anti-austerity and anti-immigrant agenda and has been accused of perpetrating attacks on migrants and political opponents.
Golden Dawn officially denies being a neo-Nazi movement, despite its swastika-like insignia, the BBC said in its report.
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