Head of Greek far-right party denied bond

ATHENS, Greece, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The leader of Greece's far-right political party, Golden Dawn, was denied bond Thursday on charges he was a member of a criminal organization, officials say.

Nikos Michaloliakos denied the charges, saying they were politically motivated, ekathimerini.com reported.

"I condemn violence," the 56-year-old mathematician told the court. "I am not a Nazi."

Two other Golden Dawn members were remanded on Wednesday.

Giorgos Patelis, head of a Golden Dawn chapter in Nikaia, was denied bail after he testified before the court. Another member, Yiannis Lagos, was remanded into custody after prosecutors argued he was both a flight risk and likely to re-offend.

Party spokesman Ilias Kasidiaris termed the court's decision "an unfair, unconstitutional [decision] that has been dictated by foreign centers of power."

Three other parliament members who are top officials in Golden Dawn were released pending trial.

Party candidate Themis Skordeli was arrested late Wednesday. Police reportedly found about $198,000 in her apartment.