Far-right leader declares support for MPs as two more resign following fraud charges

The leader of the far-right Spartiates (Spartans) party has said that he "supports and embraces all the MPs of his party," as two of his MPs declared themselves independent hours after a Supreme Court prosecutor brought charges of electoral fraud against eleven MPs elected with the party in the last election.

Vassilis Stigas alleged that the government decided to target his Spartiates party because of "its tragic handling of a range of important socio-political issues" and "to disorient public opinion."

The government "does not shy from using the criminal justice system and systemic means to prejudge judicial decisions and to neutralize any opposition politicians it fears," he said.

The 11 MPs are accused of illegally receiving the support and direct guidance from Ilias Kasidiaris, the former deputy leader of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group, who is currently...