US urges Greece to reimprison November 17 leader Giotopoulos

The United States has urged Greece to take all possible measures to return convicted November 17 leader Alexandros Giotopoulos to prison following his recent conditional release, according to a statement from the U.S. State Department.

According to Kathimerini Giotopoulos, 82, who had been imprisoned since 2002 for his role in the dismantled militant group November 17, was granted conditional release last week. A prosecutor at Greece’s Supreme Court has since moved to challenge the decision.

“We strongly support these efforts and urge the Greek Government to do all it can to return Giotopoulos to prison,” the State Department said, expressing “deep disappointment” over the ruling by the Piraeus Court of Appeals.

The department described Giotopoulos as the “leader and mastermind” of the far-left militant organization, which carried out a series of deadly attacks over nearly three decades.

According to the statement, November 17 was responsible for the killings of four American officials — Richard Welch, George Tsantes, William Nordeen and Ronald Stewart — as well as a British military attaché, a Turkish embassy employee and 16 Greek citizens.

The State Department noted that Giotopoulos was sentenced to 17 life terms plus 25 years in prison for orchestrating the attacks and said he had never accepted responsibility or expressed remorse for his actions.

It also stressed the lasting impact of the attacks on victims’ families, saying they “deserve justice” for losses that have endured for decades.

“Terrorism must never be tolerated or excused. The United States will continue to stand with victims of terrorism and work with our partners to ensure those who commit such heinous acts face full consequences,” the statement said.

In an earlier reaction to Giotopoulos’ release, a State Department spokesperson said the United States stood in solidarity with the families of all victims of the November 17 organization and praised Greek authorities for their efforts to dismantle the group and bring its members to justice.

Giotopoulos was arrested on the Greek island of Lipsi in 2002 and convicted in 2003 for his role in November 17. In 2007, he received 17 life sentences and an additional 25-year prison term.