Neo-Nazi Group Member Allegedly Stabs Left-Wing Hip-Hop Artist to Death in Greece

A left-wing hip-hop artist was killed in Greece, and Athens authorities wager a member of a neo-Nazi party is responsible.

34-year-old Pavlos Fyssas was stabbed to death Wednesday morning in front of a café located in the western Athens district of Keratsini. Police have arrested a member of the neo-Nazi organization Golden Dawn who they suspect was the killer. Authorities searched Golden Dawn offices shortly after the murder, but the party staunchly maintained that they were not involved.

Witnesses reported the two men were arguing over sports when various groups of people suddenly started getting involved. A physical fight broke out, whereupon Fyssas was reportedly jumped by about 15 men.

One man, who police told BBC's Mark Lowen is a known supporter of Golden Dawn, confessed to killing Fyssas. Just before he passed away, Fyssas named the assailant to authorities.

Relations between hard-line political groups have been strained in the past few years, the BBC reported.

Nikos Dendias, Greek Public Order Minister, called off plans for a trip to Rome, saying that the situation had to be dealt with immediately. The minister also said he felt deep regret concerning the event, and would urge government officials to put forth new legislation barring political violence and armed organizations.

Anti-fascist groups rallied on Tuesday night, and have scheduled another demonstration for Wednesday.

The leftist Greek Socialist Party has called Golden Dawn a "criminal group" in recent past, according to the BBC. Dawn is often named as a group that commits violent acts toward left-wing advocates and immigrants.

Human rights group the Council of Europe has considered making Golden Dawn illegal, despite the fact that the organization currently has 18 members in Parliament. After the financial crisis in Greek came to a head in 2011, support for Dawn grew significantly. Some government officials are worried that barring the organization from the public might lead to more supporters to start working underground.