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Yesterday, the Greek parliament voted by a majority a bill of the justice ministry abolishing the highest level security penitentiaries. During the roll-call vote requested by the opposition, the MPs also voted a clause, which can benefit November 17 terrorist Savvas Xiros, amendments to the law against wearing a balaclava and the one concerning relatives of those convicted of terrorist acts.

The clause provides for the house serving of the remainder of a life sentence for offenders with over 80% disability who have already served 10 years of their sentence in jail, as well as for the house arrest of those convicted of economic crimes, again with over 80% disability, who have already done five years of their sentence. Savvas Xiros falls in the former group.

From a total of 249 deputies 152 voted for the bill, 75 were against it, and 22 abstained.

The amendment, concerning the wearing of a balaclava to hide one's face, was voted by 166 MPs against 74 who were against and 9 abstentions. The amendment, relating to the relatives of convicted terrorists, was again voted by 152 MPs, 75 were against, and 22 abstained.

While parliament was still discussing the bill for the abolition of supermax prisons and the release of Savvas Xiros, the US Embassy reacted sharply through its official profiles on Facebook and Twitter where it published a commemoration of the murder of  US Captain William Edward Nordeen by November 17 and a list of Xiros’ convictions.

This is the Embassy text:

In honor of our fallen: Captain William Edward Nordeen, U.S. Navy, was serving as the Defense and Naval Attaché at the U.S. Mission to Greece when he was murdered on June 28, 1988 by the terrorist organization November 17. The 51 year-old U.S. Navy officer was driving in an armor-plated sedan near Athens when a car bomb was detonated next to him via remote control. He was thrown from the car and killed by the blast. Nordeen was survived by his wife, Patricia, son William E. Nordeen II and daughter Annabel. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. Captain Nordeen was one of five American embassy employees killed by the November 17 terrorist organization. 
Savvas Xiros was convicted in the murder of Captain Nordeen, as well as in the March 13, 1991 murder of TSgt. Ronald Stewart, U.S. Air Force, who was serving at a Hellenikon Air Base in Greece, as well as attacks that killed eight other individuals. He was convicted for firing a rocket at the U.S. Embassy, for participating in 71 attempted murders (including an attack on a bus carrying U.S. military personnel), for 41 illegal explosions, and for 13 robberies and attempted robberies.