By Panos Polyzoidis Athens

The Greek left-wing urban guerrilla group November 17 was planning a barrage of attacks before its activities came to an abrupt end one month ago, an alleged member has reportedly told police.

The suspect, Savvas Xiros, was injured when a bomb exploded in an apparent accident in Piraeus, the country's main port.

After one month in hospital, he has completed his initial statement to the public prosecutor.

According to Greek media reports, Mr Xiros reveals that the attempted bombing in Piraeus in late June, which caused him extensive injuries, was to be the first in a barrage of attacks with bombs and rockets.

Wealth of information

Such a wave of attacks would have caused considerable embarrassment for the Greek Government, increasing security fears ahead of Greece's European Union presidency next year, and the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Mr Xiros is reported to have given the authorities a wealth of information on November 17's structure and activities, hoping to have favourable judicial treatment under the special provisions of the recent anti-terrorist law.

He is also reported to have talked about a mysterious woman, who had allegedly been one of the founders of the group, along with Alexandros Giotopoulos, a 58-year-old intellectual with a Trotskyist background, born in France, who has already been charged in relation to November 17.

High security

The group is held responsible for 23 killings in the past 27 years.

Mr Xiros, 40, has remained in hospital under tight security since the foiled attack in Piraeus, without having been formally charged with any specific offence.

Meanwhile, eight alleged members of November 17, out of 14 who have been detained in the aftermath of the Piraeus incident, were transferred on Monday from the anti-terrorist squad's headquarters to a high-security wing of the main Athens prison.

Their trial is expected to take place there some time in spring of next year.