Police fear cooperation of Christodoulos Xeros and guerrilla organization
Anti-terrorism police officers seeking the convicted November 17 terrorist Christodoulos Xeros who absconded last week while on a prison furlough appear convinced that he had developed a close relationship with jailed members of Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire and believe the guerrilla organization may have provided the 55-year-old with a hideout.
According to police sources, Xeros had “frequent” and “close” contact with members of Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire in Korydallos Prison where he was serving multiple life sentences, culminating in a New Year’s Eve party the day before Xeros left for his furlough.
The contacts between Xeros and the jailed guerrillas had one key goal, according to the sources – the revival of “revolutionary violence.”
Police are also said to be investigating suspected ties between jailed members of the Conspiracy group and a convicted member of a violent crime syndicate smashed by police in 2012 who is serving time at Domokos Prison in central Greece. It is thought that the latter may have used his contacts in Korydallos to help the guerrillas jailed there assume control of their wing and support Xeros in his bid to elude the authorities.
According to security service officials, the crime syndicate convict was in frequent contact with the jailed guerrillas with the aim of providing members of the organization who remain at large with weapons to help them resume attacks.
Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire is best known for a parcel bomb campaign in November 2010 that targeted embassies in Athens as well as the offices of European Union leaders in several foreign capitals.
Sources in the police and Public Order Ministry are worried that Xeros might help members of Conspiracy of the Cells of Fire improve their knowledge and techniques, particularly in the manufacture of explosives. However, Kathimerini understands that the authorities do not fear a possible collaboration between Xeros and another convicted terrorist who has been at large since he absconded while on a furlough in summer of 2012, the self-professed leader of the leftist Revolutionary Struggle, Nikos Maziotis.
