November 17 terrorists convicted of Brit diplomat's murder

An anti-terrorism court in Athens has convicted the leader of the November 17 terrorist cell and several followers on charges linked to a 30-year spree of killings including the murder of British defence attaché Brigadier Stephen Saunders in June 2000.

The three judges, following a nine-month trial, issued guilty verdicts for participation in the group against Alexandros Giotopoulos, whom prosecutors alleged was the ringleader.

Others convicted included the group's key hit man, Dimitris Koufodinas.

The convictions came at the beginning of a lengthy procedure to read through all the hundreds of charges against the 18 men and one woman. Sentencing is expected later this week.

November 17 is blamed for dozens of armed robberies, hundreds of bombings and 23 killings since 1975.

The victims include Brigadier Saunders and four American envoys, two Turkish diplomats and prominent Greek political and business figures.