Public Order minister: 'A historic day for Greece and Europe'

There is no place in Greece for criminal organisations operating under the mantle of a political party, Public Order and Citizen Protection Ministry Nikos Dendias said on Saturday evening, referring to the arrests of 20 people affiliated with extreme-right Golden Dawn (Chryssi Avghi) party, including its leader and another four deputies on Saturday morning.

At a press conference after the arrest of the 20, who were led before prosecutors on Saturday night, Dendias said he had orders from Prime Minsiter Antonis Samaras to continue investigations "in all directions".

Calling Saturday "a historic day for Greece and Europe," Dendias said that events "proved to all, especially young people, that the rule of law is not bare or infirm against the crude threat of irrational violence."

"In Greece there is no place for criminal organisations which hide under the mantle of a political party to try to conquer the country's life, undermine the state's institutions, incite ethnic hatred, cast doubt on human rights and disturb the peace," Dendias said, adding that from the very beginning of assuming his duties as minister he told parliament that Greece cannot tolerate assault battalions.

"Despite this," he added, "Golden Dawn attempted to test the strength of democracy. It is now collecting its answer from the rule of law," and referred to his report to the Supreme Court asking for all pending suits against Golden Dawn members to be examined in totality in order to deal with the party as a criminal organisation, a neo-Nazi phenomenon. "Greek justice and Greek Police acted swiftly and decisively, and I express my deep gratitude," the minister said.

Of the 32 warrants issued, the anti-terrorism squad is still looking for 12 people, including Golden Dawn deputy Christos Pappas, whom the Supreme Court has named as "second in command of a criminal organisation."

Source: Athens News Agency