The first November 17 terrorism suspect to be arrested, Savvas Xeros, was illegally detained in hospital and “torturously” interrogated while at death’s door, his defense lawyer claimed in court yesterday.

Speaking at the trial of 19 N17 suspects in Korydallos Prison, Giorgos Agiostratitis attacked the bench for dismissing the 41-year-old icon painter’s allegations that his July 2002 hospital confession was extracted by torture.

“Your court ruled that the torturous interrogation of a dying man is legitimate,” he said. “That the detention of suspects for as long as the investigating judge wants is legitimate.” Xeros was arrested on June 29 2002 after a bomb exploded in his hands, seriously injuring him. He was interrogated in hospital, and charged on July 11. Meanwhile, a poll in yesterday’s Eleftherotypia daily found 55 percent of respondents considered the N17 trial “probably fair.”