Neo-Nazi Leaders Absent From Golden Dawn Trial

A trial of 69 members of Greece's neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party has started without its leader and other main defendants.

Golden Dawn founder Nikos Michaloliakos - currently under house arrest - and most of the party's MPs were not in the dock of the specially built courtroom inside a high security prison near Athens for the opening of the trial.

The group are charged with operating a criminal organisation that allegedly carried out a campaign of violence against immigrants and left-wing opponents.

Michaloliakos, a 57-year-old anti-immigrant firebrand, and 12 other members of parliament each face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Politicians and legal experts are divided over whether convictions could lead to the party being outlawed, with most opposing a ban.

Schools and municipal services near the trial venue are closed on Monday over fears that anti-Golden Dawn demonstrations planned in the area could turn violent.

Greek authorities do not keep official records on racist violence but human rights groups say a surge of attacks has occurred since 2010, typically against dark-skinned immigrants in Athens and frequently resulting in serious injury.

Victims have reported that attackers - typically in groups and using brass knuckles and baseball bats - have often identified themselves as Golden Dawn supporters.

The party denies any involvement in attacks, however, claiming political opponents have conspired against them since Golden Dawn reached 10% in opinion polls in 2013.

"They decided to put us handcuffs ... but in the face of all the mudslinging, Golden Dawn is the third strongest party in the country whether some people like it or not," Michaloliakos said after his release from prison last month, having served the maximum 18 months permitted under Greek law in pre-trial detention.

The crackdown was launched against Golden Dawn in 2013 after Greek rapper Pavlos Fyssas was stabbed to death, allegedly by a party volunteer who was arrested after the street attack.

Founded by Michaloliakos as a tiny neo-Nazi organisation in the mid-1980s, Golden Dawn transformed from being a marginal far-right group to a popular political party during the financial crisis in 2009.

It won 6.28% of the vote in a general election three months ago, despite having had its state campaign funding withdrawn.

Fyssas' mother, Magda Fyssa, was present in court Monday, appearing shaken and helped by relatives as she arrived.

The trial - which is expected to last several months - was adjourned until May 7.