N17 suspects allege mistreatment

The N17 statement demanded that detained suspects be treated fairly

ATHENS, Greece -- An investigation into conditions at a maximum-security prison has been launched in Greece after arrested terror group suspects complained about their treatment.

Suspected November 17 ringleader Alexandros Giotopoulos and 10 other suspected members of the group are being held in the top security Korydallos prison outside Athens.

The Greek authorities' decision to investigate follows a statement attributed to the N17 group which warned of a backlash -- including possible kidnappings -- if it believes the jailed suspects are treated unfairly. (Story)

Giotopoulos, a university professor, claims he has limited time to leave his cell and that he has only one hour a day to confer with his legal team.

"In general, we live in conditions that offend the very value of a human being, beyond it being illegal," he said in a statement issued through his lawyer.

EXTRA INFORMATION • Greece's deadly terror group  • Chronology: N17 terror attacks

"To the degree that this situation continues, it is certain that our personality will be weakened and it will be impossible to defend ourselves. Therefore, there is no point in discussing a fair trial."

In addition, Giotopoulos also complains of limited exercise time, the prison uniforms -- "obvious purpose of humiliating us" -- and that a ban access to newspapers, radios and televisions was contrary to the Greece's correctional code.

Authorities said they would look into the conditions, but there was no immediate indication on whether any changes would be made.

Giotopoulos and two other suspects were transferred to the women's wing of the prison earlier this week because of overcrowding.

On Wednesday, a Greek newspaper published what it said was an open letter from the group.

A suspected member of November 17 is led from court

As well as vowing to continue its 27-year campaign despite the recent wave of arrests, its statement, published in the Eleftherotypia newspaper, added: "We expect a clear and fair trial. Our next action could include prosecutors."

It said: "We have lost many comrades ... we have lost a large part of our family. The future targets will have one more aim: The exchange of prisoners."

It admitted that some members of the group's "central body" were in custody, but said other "fighters" were ready to take their place.

"We are still alive," the statement added. "We learned from our mistakes and, fortunately, from the mistakes of the Greek police and we will go forward."

N17 emerged in 1975 with the killing of CIA station chief Richard Welch. Its most recent victim was British defence attache Brigadier Stephen Saunders, who was shot dead in his car in June 2000.

It is named after the date in 1973 when a student revolt at Athens Polytechnic against the military junta then ruling Greece was savagely repressed.

It has also killed Turkish and U.S. diplomats and Greek industrialists, prosecutors, police and politicians.