Prison gates opening for convicted N17 terrorist Xiros?

Draft bill includes provision granting conditional early release to several categories of inmates with disabilities and serious medical problems

A draft bill expected to be tabled by the justice ministry in the coming days could lead to the release of convicted “November 17” terrorist and assassin Savvas Xiros.

Xiros, who is serving a life sentence for his participation in the far-left Marxist terrorist group N17, has a recorded disability rate of 93%, due to severe injuries he sustained when a bomb he was planting exploded prematurely at the port of Piraeus in June 2002.

The provision granting conditional early release to several categories of inmates with disabilities and serious medical problems will be included as a rider to a bill suspending the operation of maximum prison units (type C) in the country.

One such facility officially operates at present, near the central Greece town of Domokos.

The draft bill, according to the government, also aims to reduce prison overcrowding.

The provision, if unchanged and ratified by Parliament, would allow favorable treatment for certain inmates with a disability rate exceeding 67% (the same figure used to calculate disability … pensions), and in relation to the time already served.

If passed, terrorist Savvas Xiros would be eligible for release.