Recaptured convicted terrorist Christodoulos Xiros appeared before a prosecutor on Sunday night following his arrest at the coastal area of Anavyssos, in southern Attica, after a year on the run. The 58-year-old fugitive that had been convicted to prison for multiple life terms for crimes he committed as a member of the Revolutionary 17 November Organization (17N) that has since disbanded was charged anew for the possession of weaponry found at the house he was renting.
Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias announced on Sunday afternoon that Mr. Xiros had been targeting Korydallos prison where he hoped to free members of the terrorist organization known as Cells of Fire (Pyrines tis Fotias). It is still uncertain whether the terrorist strike would have taken place at the prisoon or during the transfer of prison members.
Police found a diagram showing a specific target, roads and routes for a strike that Mr. Xiros had been planning prior to his arrest during their investigation of his Anavyssos hideout.
Part of an RPG weapon was found eight Kalashnikovs and sacks of sand in the yard that may have been for use in an attack. The same sources say that explosive devices were found and a barrel of ANFO and two metal cases.
The genetic material gathered from Mr. Xiros was a perfect match from the material found in a parcel bomb dispatched to the police station of Itea.
“I don’t talk to the troika’s detectives,” said Mr. Xiros, while leaving police headquarters to appear before the prosecutor.
Earlier he had said that he was aware that he was being followed and had been planning to flee his hideout. His lawyer Frangiskos Ragousis said that Mr. Xiros did not want to be arrested at night as he had no intention of using his gun and in engaging in an exchange of fire with policemen.
His lawyer said that he knew that the police were on his trail and this did not give him any ability to collaborate in any plots with his main goal being to secure his freedom. He said that the weapons found in the house had been secured by him and he is willing to take responsibility for this.
On his part, Mr. Xiros said: “There is no cooperation with the mechanisms that serve the occupation and government. The Revolution will continue despite the setback I face because it is a social need.”
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