There was a sharp reaction from Turkish foreign ministry after the decision to release Alexandros Yiotopoulos, who was convicted in 2003 as a leading member of the terrorist organisation “17 November”.

Ankara issued a statement calling the decision “an insult to the memory of the victims” and a blow to international efforts against terrorism.

“We strongly condemn the release, on May 21, 2026, of the leader of the 17 November terrorist organization Alexandros Yiotopoulos,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

In the same statement, the Turkish side described Yiotopoulos as the instigator of attacks targeting Turkish diplomats in Athens.

The attacks on Turkish diplomats cited by Turkey

The Turkish Foreign Ministry notes that Alexander Yiotopoulos was sentenced to 17 life sentences and an additional 25 years in prison for a series of terrorist acts.

According to Ankara’s statement, Yiotopoulos is believed to be responsible for the murder of Cetin Gyorgou, press attaché at the Turkish embassy in Athens, on 7 October 1991.

At the same time, reference is made to the attempted assassination of the then Turkish ambassador Deniz Bolukbashi, but also the 1994 assassination of embassy counsellor Khaluk Shipahioglu outside his home.

Deniz Bolukbashi later became known for a book he had published on Greek-Turkish disputes in the Aegean, and was later elected as a member of parliament with the nationalist MHP party.

“Unacceptable show of tolerance” says Turkish foreign ministry

In a particularly harsh tone, the Turkish foreign ministry claimed the release constituted an “unacceptable show of tolerance” towards “this wretched terrorist”.

At the same time, it said the development was a “grave disrespect to the memory of our martyred diplomats and their families.”

Ankara also urged the Greek authorities to avoid actions that could weaken the fight against terrorism and called for full respect of responsibilities towards those convicted of terrorist acts.

82-year-old Yiotopoulos was released from prison on Thursday (21/5), following a decision by a judicial council that accepted a request for conditional release due to age and health issues.

First published by Deutsche Welle

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