Police keep pro- and anti-Golden Dawn marches apart in Athens

Protesters hold a banner as they march through city center during an anti-racist protest in Athens on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Some 2000 protesters took part in a protest opposing a rally which was due to be held by the extreme-right Golden Dawn party. The banner reads " We are not terrified by their attacks - Solidarity is our weapon". (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis) (The Associated Press)

Protesters hold a banner as they march through the city center during an anti-racist protest in Athens on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Some 2000 protesters took part in a protest opposing a rally which was due to be held by the extreme-right Golden Dawn party. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis) (The Associated Press)

African immigrants chat in front of the Orthodox church of Saint Panteleimon during an anti-racist protest in Athens on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. Some 2000 protesters took part in a protest opposing a rally which was due to be held by the extreme-right Golden Dawn party. (AP Photo/Kostas Tsironis) (The Associated Press)

More than 1,000 Golden Dawn supporters have demonstrated in central Athens against the prosecution of the leader of their Nazi-inspired party and its legislators.

The extreme-right, anti-immigrant Golden Dawn is under a criminal investigation regarding last month's fatal stabbing of a Greek rap singer.

Party leader and legislator Nikos Michaloliakos and two other Golden Dawn lawmakers are in pre-trial custody as alleged members of a criminal organization. Six other Golden Dawn legislators, including party spokesman Ilias Kassidiaris, have been stripped of immunity from prosecution.

During Saturday's peaceful protest, Kassidiaris told reporters it was designed to demand the immediate release of Michaloliakos and the two other jailed lawmakers.

An "anti-fascist" rally and march of similar size took place earlier Saturday, and police prevented it from reaching the Golden Dawn rally.