Violent political reactions are the result of the position of SYRIZA deputies Tassos Kourakis and Vasiliki Katrivanou who support Savas Xiros’ request for home treatment. The convicted terrorist from the "17 November" group requested the suspension of his sentence in prison because of health reasons and the two SYRIZA members supported his request. Their presence in the court in Piraeus, where Savas Xiros was taken under escort of officers from the department to fight terrorism, provoked an immediate response. New Democracy immediately issued a statement reading that "it is unacceptable for two SYRIZA deputies to appear in support of terrorists" and urging leader Alexis Tsipras "to clarify his position towards those who sympathize with terrorism." PASOK in turn said this was "a gross political mistake" and called on the SYRIZA leadership "to take a clear position."
In a statement, the two deputies from the main opposition party defended their position by stating that the reactions that they expected could not force them to act against their conscience and against "what the rules of government of law dictate." Furthermore, referring to Savas Xiros’ health condition, they added that they would do the same for each prisoner with such serious health problems.
The court will decide on Savas Xiros’ request for home treatment on 26 June.
Meanwhile, following the initiative of the two SYRIZA deputies, the verbal clashes continued in parliament. Members of New Democracy urged the leader of the left to clearly and explicitly condemn the support expressed for terrorist Savas Xiros. At the same time, they emphasized that it is one thing to have respect for human rights, for which SYRIZA calls, and quite another for a witness for the defence in a terrorism trial. They also accused the main opposition party that it is thus pursuing pre-election purposes.
SYRIZA deputy Zoe Konstandopoulou in turn responded violently, saying, "Greece will not become Guantanamo", and stating that the case is about provocative positions inciting hatred. She also underlined that "there is a European Court conviction in the case of Savas Xiros, who has a 93% degree of disability." "Even the legal representatives of the victims’ families and their lawyers have not desecrated their memory in such a provocative and populist manner," added Konstandopoulou, urging the deputies from the ruling coalition to stop calling their political opponent "terrorist".