Greece: The historic leader of the "November 17" terrorist group released after more than twenty years in prison

Alexandros Giotopoulos, considered the mastermind of the Greek guerrilla group "November 17," responsible for a long campaign of assassinations in Greece, has been released from prison after more than two decades of detention, according to police sources.

Aged 82, Giotopoulos was arrested in 2002 during the dismantling of the Marxist group by Greek authorities. He was subsequently sentenced in 2003, before an appeals court upheld in 2007 a sentence of 17 life sentences plus an additional 25 years of imprisonment.

The former leader of the group has always denied the accusations against him. His release was approved by a judicial commission after a request was filed in 2025, according to reports. Several Greek media outlets reported that this request was motivated by his health condition.

Alexandros Giotopoulos left Korydallos high-security prison near Athens on Thursday. His release, however, is subject to several strict conditions, including a ban on leaving Greek territory, the obligation to reside at the address provided to the authorities, and regular reports to the police station.

The "November 17" group is considered one of the most significant armed organizations in contemporary Greek history. Between 1975 and 2000, it claimed responsibility for 23 assassinations, targeting both Greek and foreign officials.

Among its victims were Richard Welch, the CIA station chief in Athens who was assassinated in 1975, a US Navy captain, a Turkish diplomat, and British defense attaché Stephen Saunders, who was killed in 2000 during the group's last known attack.

The organization's name referenced the student uprising of November 17, 1973, against the Greek military dictatorship, which was brutally suppressed at the time. Initially focused on targeted assassinations, the group later expanded its activities to include bombings and bank robberies in the 1980s.