Greek political spokesman (Golden Dawn) assaults Communist Party member on television

Thousands have protested in Greece against the far-right Golden Dawn party after one of its members assaulted a woman on live TV.

Demonstrators shouted "Neo-Nazis out" in rallies called by left-wing and anti-racism groups in Athens.

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The rally comes nine days before elections which could result in a Greek exit from the Eurozone.

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It {the assault} started after Rena Dourou of the radical left-wing Syriza party mentioned Mr Kasidiaris's alleged involvement in an armed robbery in 2007.

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“The events that took place on the morning of last Thursday on ANT1 had been staged for the sole purpose of provoking an extreme reaction on my part. I am personally sorry that I was involved – against my will – in a case of disorienting public opinion, aimed primarily at inflicting political damage on Golden Dawn.

I was surprised that certain members of the judiciary were alerted while the programme was on air, and at the massive mobilisation of the police, whose intervention is a luxury that Greek citizens are daily deprived of. I was not surprised by the provocative behaviour of certain big-name journalists and publishers, who did not hesitate to demand and announce my prosecution before the relevant authorities had even taken that decision.

Justice must and has a duty to remain sober, distancing itself from those who issue and receive commands, aloof from vested and political interests. I chose to keep silent for 48 hours, as I did not wish to grant TV channels the pleasure of disparaging me afresh, presenting the spectacle of my being transported, in handcuffs, to the General Attorney.

I shall betake myself to the General Attorney in person, in order to sue the physical and moral perpetrators of all illegal actions that took place at my expense in the last two days. Above all, however, I rely on the irrefutable judgment of the Greek People.

A people who, ignoring the dirty propaganda of the System as a whole, now stands in greater numbers than ever by the Greek Nationalists of Golden Dawn.” (Many thanks to Finisterre67 for the translation)