A lawmaker in Greece's Golden Dawn party turned himself into authorities on Sunday amidst a crackdown of the political party for accusations of murder, the Yakima Herald reported.
Christos Pappas, described by prosecutors as the second-in-command of Golden Dawn, was charged with membership in a criminal organization with intent to commit crimes -- just like five other lawmakers in the party, including primary leader Nikos Michaloliakos.
In addition to the six lawmakers of the party being charged, 14 members and two police officers were arrested and charged with the same crimes. Another 10 suspects, with warrants out for their arrest since Saturday, have yet to be detained.
Attention to Golden Dawn, the country's extremely anti-immigrant party with neo-Nazi ties, steadily increased since the stabbing and killing of Pavlos Fissas by a party sympathizer. Members of the party have vehemently denied the allegations.
As Pappas was on his way to the police headquarters in Athens, he criticized the crackdown of Golden Dawn and austerity measures in light of Greece's failing economy.
"I present myself voluntarily. I have nothing to hide, nothing to fear. The occupation government of the bailout deals has begun unprecedented political persecutions, using so-called independent justice. Nationalism will prevail. Golden Dawn will survive," he said.
He then chanted "Hail Golden Dawn!" right before entering the headquarters.
Pappas' five fellow lawmakers have been in custody since Saturday, with court hearings for them scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday. Since he was arrested a day later, Pappas will not make a court apperance until Thursday.
All suspects related to the murder of Fissas are expected to stay in prison as they wait for trials to begin.
All of the charged lawmakers will keep their seats in parliament unless they're convicted or choose to resign. Additionally, the government said they plan on introducing legislation on Monday that would entirely defund Golden Dawn, which received $1.18 million in 2013.
