This was the first appearance before a court for the man accused of stabbing to death an anti-racist rapper in a case that's sparked an outcry in Greece.

The 45-year-old self-proclaimed supporter of the far-right Golden Dawn Party appeared at a court in an Athens suburb surrounded by tight security.

After a three-hour hearing at which he said he acted in self-defence, he was sent to jail to await trial.

In another part of the Greek capital, thousands turned out to demand a ban on Golden Dawn in the wake of the stabbing.

The party's condemned the killing and denied involvement but what appears a politically motivated attack has outraged many in Greek society

(SOUNDBITE)(Greek) EFFIE, PROTESTER, SAYING:

"These people don't belong in our neighbourhoods or our towns. People must banish them once and for all. We live in a democracy. This is the country that gave birth to democracy. These people shouldn't be allowed to exist among us."

Saturday's