82-Year-Old Convicted Militant Leader Released from Prison

Alexandros Giotopoulos, an 82-year-old man previously sentenced to 17 life terms, has been released from prison. He was convicted for his role as a leader of a far-left Greek militant group known as November 17. This group was notorious for its activities between 1975 and 2002 and was responsible for the deaths of 23 individuals, including a C.I.A. officer.

The release has sparked anger among the families of the group’s victims. On Friday, Greek television aired footage showing Giotopoulos in a central Athens neighborhood, holding a plastic shopping bag. His lawyer, Vasiliki Kamilari, noted that his release was based on several factors, including his advanced age.

The court, in 2003, identified Giotopoulos as the key planner behind the group’s violent acts. November 17 was responsible for bombings, assassinations, and bank heists, which funded the organization’s operations. Among those killed by the group was Richard Welch, a high-ranking C.I.A. official, murdered in Athens in 1975. Giotopoulos has always denied leading or partaking in the group’s violent acts.

In a statement to Documento, a leftist newspaper, Giotopoulos questioned the allegations against him. He stated, “After 24 years of imprisonment, I am still awaiting an answer to the crucial question: ‘In what place did my moral instigation take place?’ He continued, asking for specifics about the accusations against him.

In Greece, prisoners with multiple life sentences are typically eligible for release after around 25 years. Giotopoulos had filed numerous petitions for release. A panel eventually granted his request, acknowledging his age, deteriorating health, and positive behavior during incarceration. While in prison, he completed postgraduate studies, which also contributed to the decision to release him.