Govt passes bill to abolish? max prisons, free disable inmates (and possibly a terrorist)

Leftist SYRIZA MPs toed the party line on Monday and ratified a controversial law eliminating ? maximum security prisons in Greece and essentially opening the jailhouse gate for a notorious terrorist.

True to its campaign pledges of "humanitarian initiatives" in correctional system, the leftist government dismissed criticism by the opposition, as well as heightened irration by the US administration, and pushed through with the legislation. One of the beneficiaries of the "Free Bird" bill will be none other than Savvas Xiros, a member of the "November 17" terrorist gang responsible for killing 23 people, including five US diplomats and military personnel since the mid 1970s.

US Amb. David Pearce expressed Washington view on Monday, saying a Xiros release would be viewed by the US administration as an "unfriendly act".

The law allows the conditional release of inmates with disabilities and other ailments, like age. Xiros blew off half his right hand, lost much of his eyesight and hearing, and sustained other severe injuries after a "SNAFU" with a bomb he was placing ? i.e. it exploded prematurely.

Earlier, before the vote, ND rapporteur Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose brother-in-law Pavlos Bakoyannis himself was gunned down by "N17" in 1989, called on the Parliament presidium to cancel the vote due to a lack of a quorum.

Rapporteurs from the Potami and PASOK parties supported Mitsotakis' position, leading to a minor "mad dash" by several SYRIZA MPs attending sub-committee meetings or in Parliament's parlour to join the plenary session, in order to hold a quorum and vote on the Xiros-tainted legislation.

The convicted terrorist, if released, will be held in home custody, with the government promising he'll be fitted with an ankle...