NEWS

‘Over 100’ suspects in terror probe

More than 100 names are on the list of suspects that police have drawn up in their campaign against terrorism, sources said yesterday. This is aside from the 15 November 17 suspects already in prison and Dimitris Koufodinas, the country’s most-wanted man and allegedly a senior operative of the country’s deadliest terrorist group. This list is said to provide a full record of all the terrorist groups that operated in Greece since their first appearance in 1975, a year after the fall of a seven-year military dictatorship. Despite the lull in arrests following the capture of most of November 17’s suspected members and their weaponry in July, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis yesterday expressed a confidence which suggested that the authorities have a complete picture of the people involved and their actions. Police are working to tie in their suspects with the evidence before making their names public. «Greece’s democracy defeated one of its enemies, terrorism. This had to be accomplished, and in this sense, the government carried out its duty,» Chrysochoidis said during a visit to the Ionian island of Corfu. Police officials talk of «astonishing revelations» that will surprise public opinion, as light will be shed on many shadowy events in the past and many questions will be answered. According to sources, the revelations will be «astonishing» for two reasons: the actual identities of suspects and the extent of their contacts with international terrorists, which could damage Greece’s standing. With regard to identities, it is said that among those suspected of involvement in the Revolutionary Popular Struggle (ELA) and its «subsidiaries,» are well-known names, although none of them play a role in public life. Even if many of them are not convicted, because of the statute of limitations on crimes (20 years for murder and 15 for others), the authorities want to disclose both their identities and their activities, so as to show the public precisely who was involved in terrorist activities. Developments are expected soon, after Chrysochoidis and top officials decided on Monday to speed up the investigation.

Subscribe to our Newsletters

Enter your information below to receive our weekly newsletters with the latest insights, opinion pieces and current events straight to your inbox.

By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.