The United States criticized the Greek court’s decision to release Alexandros Giotopoulos, the convicted leader and mastermind of the far-left terrorist organization November 17.
In a written statement, the U.S. Department of State cited the group’s role in the murder of U.S. officials and called on Greek authorities to pursue legal steps that would overturn the Piraeus Court of Appeals’ ruling and return Giotopoulos to prison.
According to reports, the U.S. Embassy in Athens also conveyed Washington’s position to the Greek government through a demarche.
The statement emphasizes that the terrorist organization assassinated American citizens, some of whom were important officials of the American state, including the CIA station chief.
It also makes special reference to the assassination of Pavlos Bakoyannis by November 17 , who -as is stated- was husband of current Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ sister, Dora Bakoyanni, who is a Greek Parliament member.
“Over a period of 27 years,” notes the State Department spokesman, “November 17 assassinated four American government employees: Richard Welch, Captain George Tsantes, Captain William Nordin, and Sergeant Ronald Stewart. The group also assassinated a British military attaché, a Turkish embassy employee, and 16 prominent Greeks, including the cousin of the current Prime Minister, Mitsotakis.”
The statemnt adds that Giotopoulos was sentenced to 17 life sentences plus 25 years for orchestrating these brutal murders and emphasizes that he “never accepted responsibility (for his actions) or expressed remorse.”
The State Department notes that “on May 25, the Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court filed an appeal to cancel the conditional release because Giotopoulos had not served the minimum required sentence. We strongly support these efforts and call on the Greek government to do everything it can to return Giotopoulos to prison.”
The US Department of State emphasizes that “the families of Richard Welch, George Tsantes, William Nordin and Ronald Stewart have borne the brunt of these losses for decades. Their loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation and deserve justice,” it states and concludes as follows:
“Terrorism must never be tolerated or excused. The United States will continue to stand with the victims of terrorism and work with our partners to ensure that those who commit such heinous acts face full consequences.”
Convicted leader of the now-defunct November 17 (17N) terrorist group Alexandros Giotopoulos, 82, was released from prison on May 21 under strict conditions.
Giotopoulos, known as “Lambros” in the group was sentenced in 2003 to 17 life terms and an additional 25-year prison sentence for moral responsibility in 17 murders, as well as for involvement in bombings, armed robberies, and participation in a terrorist organization.
