Greek far rightists propose harsher treatment for offenders who entered the country illegally

ATHENS, Greece – A Greek extreme right party broadly vilified for alleged Nazi sympathies and inciting violence against immigrants is seeking harsher laws for offenses committed by foreigners who entered Greece illegally.

A draft law tabled by the Golden Dawn party Tuesday also would criminalize denial of "genocides of Greeks." Many Greeks claim that Turks massacred ethnic Greeks in what used to be the Ottoman Empire.

The move comes as mainstream parties squabble over how to toughen anti-racism laws and ban denial of Nazi crimes — following pressure from the European Union and human rights groups.

Greece's economic crisis has led to a surge in anti-immigrant violence.

The once-marginal Golden Dawn won 18 of Parliament's 300 seats last year. It rejects the neo-Nazi label and has disowned alleged racist attacks by its supporters.