The recent escape of convicted November 17 member Christodoulos Xiros during a leave of absence from the Korydallos prison has alarmed the government and police alike, who fear that he may be planning a terrorist attack.
In 2003 Xiros was convicted to ten life-time sentences and 25 years imprisonment for his participation in 8 terrorist attacks, robberies and other crimes attributed to November 17. After the lengthy appeal process his sentence was reduced to 6 life terms.
The authorities’ predominant fear is that in light of the assumption of the EU’s presidency by Greece, militant and terrorist groups will want to take advantage of the unique and international publicity opportunity and escalate their actions.
The 56-year-old Christodoulos Xiros, who disappeared on Monday the 6th of January, was on a 9-day leave from Korydallos and was meant to return on Friday, the 10th of January. His escape became known when he failed to report to the Police Department in Nea Kallikratia. Many of Xiros’ family members and associates have been interrogated, as the police’s counter-terrorism unit handling the case believe he was assisted in his escape.
Leaves of absence from prison are granted to convicted felons as a means of assisting reintegration into society and to alleviate pressure and stress from the country’s prisons. A strict set of criteria, such as having completed the majority of a sentence and good behavior, contributed towards the measure being successful, with very few instances of escapes, prior to Xiros’ case. The escape of Xiros has urged many coalition government MPs to call for a reevaluation or even abolition of the measure.
Police are concerned that Xiros may cooperate with unknown members of November 17 who may have evaded capture, as well as member of more recent militant and terrorist groups, such as Nikos Maziotis of the Revolutionary Struggle, the Conspiracy of Fire Cells. The police also believe that he may be assisted by prominent criminals, such as Vasilis Paleokostas and Panagiotis Vlastos, who appear to have assisted various militant groups on multiple occasions.
It appears that Xiros had come into contact with detained members of the Conspiracy of Fire Cells while he was incarcerated in Korydallos. An internal investigation has been ordered to determine whether Xiros was allowed be prison guards to visit the wing where the CFC members are being held, on New Year’s Eve and prior to his escape.
While Xiros had a more active role in November 17’s attacks, rather an ideological one, authorities believe he may have inspired newer generations of militant and terrorist groups and as such, he may act as a unifying catalyst for a new string of attacks.
