Supreme Court Prosecutor Appeals Rejection of N17 Terrorist's Furlough Request

Supreme Court Prosecutor Xenia Dimitriou on Friday appealed a judicial council decision not to grant a new furlough to November 17 terrorist Dimitris Koufodinas, who is serving 11 life sentences for a series of murders without expressing remorse.
A Supreme Court council will now examine the case and decide whether the case will be reviewed. The Supreme Court prosecutor’s action initiates proceedings for a possible overthrow of the judges’ decision, which was unanimous in rejecting Koufodinas request for a new furlough.
Koufodinas, 61, has been on a hunger strike. Ever since his request for his seventh furlough for prison leave was rejected, two weeks ago. His health is in a bad state and he has complained that he is not treated well in the prison hospital. Reportedly, he is now in intensive care at the Volos General Hospital
In the past two weeks, the terrorist’s supporters have unleashed a series of attacks against police stations and political party offices, and extensive vandalisms in Athens and Thessaloniki. They also threw paint at the house of the U.S. Ambassador to Athens.
Among the several victims of the November 17 hitman were U.S., British and Turkish diplomats.
Main opposition reacts to the prosecutor’s intervention
“No serious democratic state allows to be blackmailed by terrorists or their admirers,” says the statement issued by main opposition New Democracy, criticizing the intervention of the Supreme Court prosecutor’s in the Koufodinas case.
The statement says that Koufodinas with his hunger strike and his supporters with their violent attacks essentially blackmail the Greek state to give the terrorist what he wants. As a result the judicial system has succumbed to the pressure and is likely to grant leave to Koufodinas.
The New Democracy statement questions the act of the Supreme Court prosecutor to challenge the decision of the judicial body, especially during the pre-election period, as Koufodinas’ supporters have launched attacks against New Democracy campaign gatherings.