Alexandros Giotopoulos

“… At that most important moment of my life, as George opened the dossier, the explosive device it contained went off. The explosion caused the entire Katichaki building to shake. (…) For a few seconds, I remained frozen, motionless, trying to comprehend the situation. Trying to stay as calm as possible, I began shouting the names of the colleagues I knew were still in the office.

The convicted leader of the now defunct November 17 urban terror group, Alexandros Giotopoulos, is reportedly being treated for a pulmonary embolism while under guard at the Sotiria hospital in northern Athens.

Giotopoulos has been in hospital for at least 10 days after suffering a serious respiratory infection, with his health further burdened by his age and other illnesses.

According to reports, the 80-year-old Giotopoulos has been under guard for the past ten days in the pulmonary clinic of “Sotiria” Hospital, where he was admitted due to a severe respiratory infection.

Four jailed members of the now-defunct Greek terrorist group November 17, including leader Alexandros Giotopoulos, will be able to apply as of Tuesday for conditional release on the basis of a new penal code that came into effect Monday, and the group's hitman Dimitris Koufodinas will be able to do the same in September.

Greek Justice Minister Michalis Kalogirou on Monday rejected reports that the new penal code will allow convicted terrorists to be released earlier under conditions, saying they are "false" and blaming it on an attempt to drag the issue into the pre-election campaign.

Four jailed members of the now-defunct Greek terrorist group November 17, including leader Alexandros Giotopoulos, will be able to apply as of Tuesday for a prison release under conditions, due to the provisions of the new penal code which took effect on July 1.