Turkey condemned this weekend the release of Alexandros Giotopoulos, the leader of the terrorist group “17 November,” from a Greek prison, describing the decision by Greek authorities as a lack of respect toward the Turkish diplomats who were assassinated and toward their families.
The statement added that Giotopoulos was released despite a sentence of 17 life terms as well as an additional 25 years in detention for orchestrating attacks against Turkish diplomats in Greece.
Giotopoulos, an 82-year-old convicted terrorist, was released Thursday from a prison in Athens after a court approved his parole due to his advanced age.
According to the ministry, the decision represents “an unacceptable display of tolerance” toward “this vile terrorist” and constitutes “a grave disrespect for the memory of our martyred diplomats and their families.”
The Turks also urged the Greek authorities to refrain from any action that could undermine counter-terrorism efforts and to assume their responsibilities regarding the punishment of convicted terrorists.
