I N T R E P X

17 November (17N) was a notorious left-wing militant group based in Greece, known for its violent campaign against both domestic and foreign targets. The group was responsible for a series of high-profile assassinations, bombings, and robberies, starting in the 1970s and continuing into the early 2000s. Their actions were rooted in a combination of Marxist-Leninist ideology and anti-imperialist sentiment, with a particular focus on targeting Western interests and symbols of power, including American and NATO officials.

Origins and Activities

17 November emerged in the aftermath of Greece’s military dictatorship (1967-1974), a period that had left a deep imprint on the political landscape. After the collapse of the junta, the group was formed as a radical response to the perceived failure of Greece’s new democratic government to address social inequality and the influence of Western powers in Greek politics. The name “17 November” refers to the date of the 1973 student uprising at the Athens Polytechnic, a seminal moment in Greece’s struggle against the dictatorship.

The group’s early activities were marked by small-scale attacks, but by the mid-1980s, they escalated to targeted killings, particularly of American and British diplomats, as well as high-ranking Greek officials. Their most infamous act was the 1996 assassination of British defense attache, Brigadier Stephen Saunders. Over the years, the group’s targets also included U.S. military personnel, NATO officials, and Greek businessmen with ties to foreign interests.

Their strategy was one of secrecy and meticulous planning. They avoided leaving behind incriminating evidence and were careful about their public statements, ensuring that their messages were clear but often cryptic. This made it exceedingly difficult for law enforcement to track their activities and motivations.

The CIA and Intelligence Collaboration

For much of the 17 November group’s existence, the Greek authorities struggled to combat them, due to a lack of cooperation among intelligence agencies, a fear of violating Greek sovereignty, and the group’s careful operations. However, the threat posed by 17N was not just a Greek issue. The United States, particularly, had a vested interest in dismantling the group, due to its direct attacks on American diplomats, military personnel, and other Western targets.

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) became involved in the efforts to locate and neutralize 17N, providing vital intelligence support to Greek authorities. Although the CIA’s role in tracking the group was complex and occasionally controversial, it was essential in the long pursuit of their capture.

Initially, the CIA worked closely with the Greek police and intelligence services. However, tensions between the U.S. and Greece—partly due to the secretive nature of operations and the sensitivity of American intelligence involvement—occasionally created friction. Despite these difficulties, the CIA’s resources and global network of operatives provided critical information and analysis that eventually helped piece together the group’s structure and intentions.

A significant breakthrough came in the late 1990s when U.S. intelligence helped identify members of the group through surveillance of known 17N associates and the tracking of financial transactions linked to their operations. One notable achievement was the identification of 17N’s leader, Alexandros Giotopoulos, who was connected to the group through intercepted communications and intelligence sharing between U.S. and Greek authorities.

The Fall of 17 November

The breakthrough came in 2002, when a botched operation led to the arrest of several members of the group. The capture was the result of a combination of domestic Greek intelligence work, CIA input, and a well-timed crack in the group’s security. One member of the group, Savvas Xeros, survived an attempt on his life during a bomb-making operation in 2002, which led to a cascade of arrests. Xeros’ capture provided a crucial piece of evidence that linked the group to a series of attacks over the years.

In total, 17 members of the organization were arrested, including key figures such as Giotopoulos, marking the effective dismantling of 17 November. This was seen as a triumph for both Greek authorities and their international intelligence partners, including the CIA. The arrests were widely regarded as a testament to the efficacy of the intelligence-sharing process, with the CIA’s contributions playing a pivotal role in the group’s unraveling.

The Legacy of 17 November

The fall of 17 November was a significant milestone in the fight against political terrorism in Greece, and it marked the end of one of Europe’s most infamous terror groups. The collaboration between the CIA and Greek intelligence services highlighted the complexities of dealing with homegrown terrorism in a globalized world. While the CIA’s involvement was necessary for the success of the operation, it also raised concerns about the extent of foreign intelligence interference in domestic law enforcement affairs.

In the years following their capture, the Greek government worked to further strengthen its counterterrorism measures, aided by a more robust cooperation with international allies. The legacy of 17 November, however, continues to resonate in Greece, where political violence and radical ideologies remain a part of the socio-political landscape.

Despite the defeat of 17 November, Greece’s experience with this group underscored the need for global intelligence cooperation in addressing the increasingly transnational nature of terrorist movements. The CIA’s role in the hunt for 17 November remains a critical chapter in the ongoing fight against international terrorism.

Victims of Greek Terror

Here is the completed list of known victims of the Greek terrorist group 17 November:

1. Richard Welch – December 23, 1975

• U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Station Chief in Athens. He was assassinated outside his home.

2. Gregory P. “Greg” Schultz – June 29, 1977

• U.S. Navy official killed during an attack by 17 November.

3. William “Bill” Schuey – January 1982

• U.S. Attaché killed on a roadside.

4. Bruce E. King – January 18, 1981

• U.S. Army Captain, military adviser, killed in a shooting attack.

5. Brigadier Stephen Saunders – June 8, 2000

• British military attache to Greece, killed in broad daylight in Athens.

6. Giorgos Tsoutsouvas – December 8, 1991

• A Greek police officer, shot dead by 17 November.

7. Christos Rigas – November 17, 1984

• A Greek industrialist linked to foreign interests, murdered by the group.

8. Spyridon-Ioannis Kapsis – November 23, 1985

• Greek businessman and a target due to his ties to the West, killed in an attack.

9. Nikos Stefanis – June 11, 1993

• A Greek police officer also shot dead during a 17 November operation.

These are some of the most notable victims of 17 November, which was responsible for a series of attacks over a span of several decades. The group’s targets were primarily diplomats, military personnel, and political figures, particularly from the U.S., Britain, and Greece.