ATHENS, Greece — Officials have confirmed the release of Alexandros Giotopoulos, the leader of the notorious far-left Greek militant group November 17, from a high-security prison. The 82-year-old, who was serving multiple life sentences, was freed Thursday due to his age, declining health, and good conduct. However, this decision is under scrutiny and is currently being reviewed by a senior prosecutor at Greece’s Supreme Court.
Unraveling the Notorious Group
November 17 remained elusive to authorities for decades, conducting a series of violent acts including bombings, assassinations, and bank heists. Their first known attack, the assassination of Richard Welch, CIA station chief in Greece, occurred in 1975 in Athens. The group’s operations were exposed following a failed bombing in 2002, which resulted in the severe injury of a member and led investigators to dismantle the organization.
Giotopoulos, originally from Paris and living under a false identity, faced conviction in 2003 for his role in orchestrating these crimes and was sentenced to 17 life terms plus 25 years. His conviction was upheld on appeal in 2007. Despite the convictions, Giotopoulos has consistently denied involvement, asserting that his co-defendants were coerced into false testimony by authorities seeking leniency for themselves.
Education Behind Bars
During his incarceration, Giotopoulos engaged in academic pursuits, completing university-level courses via correspondence. Authorities also noted his adherence to conditions during furloughs provided in recent years. November 17, named after a significant student-led protest in 1973 against Greece’s military dictatorship, has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, including the assassinations of two Turkish Embassy staff and British defense attaché Stephen Saunders in 2000.
While Giotopoulos has now been released, three of the original 15 members convicted in relation to November 17’s activities remain imprisoned.
