Many Greeks will breathe freely after the verdicts

Many Greek newspapers have heaved a sigh of relief at the verdicts handed down on Monday in the trial of members of the radical group November 17.

Commentators believe the verdicts are just and could prove the final nail in the coffin of Greek terrorism.

"Future generations will use the conviction of the members of N17 as a reference point in explaining the foundations of Greek democracy," argues the left-of-centre Ethnos.

It describes the verdict as "a historic decision, fearless and dispassionate".

Just verdict

Another centre-left daily, Avriani, gives prominence to the story in a front-page report.

"Humane sentences to bring a definitive end to the historic cycle of the terrorist organisations," it proclaims.

Terrorism will no longer be able to harm our country Avriani

An editorial inside continues the theme. "This has closed the operational cycle of N17 and of local terrorism more generally, to such an extent that it will no longer be able to harm our country."

The independent To Vima believes the verdict is "legally well founded and also comprehensible to the broader public".

N17's activities had been "curtailed once and for all", it says.

"When confronted with the phenomenon of terrorism in future, the public will oppose and condemn it," To Vima concludes.

The centre-left daily Ta Nea devotes over 12 pages to the case, carrying a front-page banner headline reading "Convictions and acquittals were well-balanced" and congratulating the court on "a balanced landmark verdict".

"This court's greatest achievement was managing to convince public opinion that justice was being done, without appearing vindictive, as it did not hesitate to acquit four defendants," argues an editorial.

I Kathimerini condemns the alleged leader of N17, Alexandros Giotopoulos, for denying any involvement with the group.

He is "lacking in the bravery expected from a revolutionary, a fighter", it says.

Government under fire

An editorial in the leftist Elevtherotipia reserves judgment on the verdict, which it believes "provoked many reactions, some of which irritate, while others satisfy, public opinion".

The course of terrorism was facilitated by the errors and omissions of governmental authority Elevtheros Tipos

"Only when the reasoning behind the verdict is published - in four months' time - will it be possible for everyone to assess the verdict correctly," it says.

The rightist Elevtheros Tipos points the finger at the socialist Pasok government for "failing to hazard a substantive political debate on terrorism, knowing full well that the course of terrorism was facilitated by the errors and omissions of governmental authority".

The pro-communist Rizospastis refuses to assess the verdict, condemning the whole case against N-17 as a vehicle "to curtail democratic liberties and individual rights".

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