Greek police have charged another alleged member of the November 17 guerrilla group with crimes including involvement in the killing of a British military attache in Athens two years ago.

The man was one of two suspected members of the left-wing detained in north-western Greece on Saturday and later flown to a jail in Athens.

A third arrest was made in northern Greece on Sunday, bringing to 10 the number detained in connection with the group in the past week or so.

Greek authorities blame November 17 for dozens of bomb attacks and assassinations over nearly three decades.

The group had eluded police detection until one of its members blew himself up while allegedly trying to plant a bomb.

Implicated by others

Irakis Kostaris, 36, was charged on Sunday over the killing of Brigadier Stephen Saunders in June 2000.

A police spokesman said Mr Kostaris had denied the charges but they considered evidence and statements by other alleged November 17 members were strong enough to prove he had participated in that murder and a series of other attacks.

Police are looking for another suspect, Dimitris Koufodinas

The widow of Brigadier Saunders, from Osmond, near Dorchester, welcomed the news that someone had been charged.

Heather Saunders said: "I am pleased for all the relatives of victims that, after such a long time, at last we may be able to close the door on this and perhaps take our lives on."

The mother-of-two has campaigned tirelessly for charges to be brought following her husband's death.

The other suspect detained on Saturday, Costas Karatsolis, was charged with taking part in armed robberies, including the theft of anti-tank rockets from an army base in 1989.

A previously detained suspect, Vassilis Xiros, had already confessed to involvement in the attack on Brigadier Saunders, police say.

He has now given an official statement to the public prosecutors after being charged over the murder and other attacks.

The suspects held by Greek police include the alleged leader of November 17, Alexandros Giotopoulos, who has been charged with a series of high profile murders.

Continuing crackdown

Until three weeks ago, police had not detained any member of the group, which has been active since 1975.

The breakthrough came on 29 June, when 40-year-old Savas Xiros was badly injured when a bomb he was handling exploded prematurely.

Investigators have also recovered two large arms caches believed to belong to the group.

Police are still searching for other November 17 members, believed to number a few dozen.

Greek Prime Minister Costas Simitis has hailed the arrests as a "victory against terrorism".

November 17 is believed to have carried out at least 50 bomb and rocket attacks, as well as 23 assassinations since 1975.