Greek lawmakers lift parliamentary immunity of extreme right-wing deputy over market attack

ATHENS, Greece – Greek lawmakers have overwhelmingly voted to lift the immunity from prosecution of a far-right member of parliament after allegations he participated in attacks against a group of vendors.

Konstantinos Barbarousis' party, Golden Dawn, rose from the fringes of politics to gain 18 parliamentary seats in June elections by campaigning against immigration at a time of acute economic woes.

Last month, videos posted on the Internet showed Golden Dawn members smashing stalls of vendors they claimed were operating without permits in a farmers' market in the central town of Messolongi. Barbarousis appeared along with the group on the videos.

In secret balloting Wednesday, 218 deputies in the 300-seat parliament voted to lift his immunity. Three voted against, one abstained and there was one blank ballot.