Greece's descent into a failed state seems almost inevitable if the European community does not intervene in ways that are not just self serving.
One of the more troublesome developments of the Greek depression is the fact that both right wing fanatics and left wing followers are taking to the streets, something that Greek citizens fear will bring unrest and civil strife similar to that which marked the bloody seventies.
Just as Greece is trying to quell the far right demonstrations and violence fomented by the Golden Dawn, a Neo Nazi group with strong connections to other European extremist groups and widespread popular sympathy, news come that the leader of the November 17 organization has escaped from prison.
Christodoulos Xyros, the leader of September 17, was responsible for both the murder of several very public Greek figures, and police officers, but also of the attack against the residence of the German Ambassador in 1999.
His escape signals a definite re-organization and entrenchment of old left wing forces, probably rekindled both by the failure of the Greek economy, but also by the strengthening of right wing groups.
Xyros was considered the most dangerous of the left wing old guard. He had been locked away for what everyone thought forever, as he served seven life terms. But in the past two years, his imprisonment conditions had relaxed, and he had been allowed to leave the prison grounds for eight times.
Some politicians see the laxity of the latest period of imprisonment as a sign that there are forces at play, which are aiming to throw Greece again into the turmoil that marked much of the seventies.
Xyros' lawyer for his part has made no secret of the fact that he believes his client's escape was predictable, as is Xyros' new agenda. He also thinks that Xyros will strike again. As he put it, the "issues of our time" and the 'social necessity' of Greek's political landscape dictate that his client resume his revolutionary activity.
The new Greek President will be seated today, and the escape of the highest ranking left wing terrorist seems to be no coincidence. His inauguration will therefore be marked by unusually high security.
Source : Deutsche Welle/ 1.8.14
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