Protests in Greece against the far-right Golden Dawn party Wed Sep 25,2013

Thousands of people have joined protests in Athens and elsewhere in Greece against the far-right Golden Dawn party on Wed Sep 25,2013

Greek parties and unions on Wednesday were to hold anti-fascist protests in Athens and other cities as police stepped up an investigation into suspected crimes by neo-Nazi party Golden Dawn.

"We call all institutional and social institutions to mobilise," said the socialist Pasok party, a member of the government coalition, while the main opposition Syriza leftists called for a "peaceful march in defence of democracy." 

 

In Athens, clashes erupted between protesters and police as police reportedly blocked attempts to march on Golden Dawn offices.

"The days of tolerance are over," one banner was quoted as saying.

The protests are part of a wave of outrage following the Sep 18,2013 murder of 34-year-old musician Pavlos Fyssas by unemployed truck driver George Roupakias, who admitted the incident but said he was acting in self-defence

Golden Dawn has vehemently denied links to the singer's killer -- despite pictures emerging of Roupakias participating in party activities -- and says it is the victim of a smear campaign.

The incident prompted an unprecedented crackdown on Golden Dawn after months of inaction by the authorities.Police raids on Golden Dawn offices in search of hidden weapons were also ordered this week, amid reports that the party organised military-style training activities for its members