ATHENS – The imprisoned former leader of the disbanded Nov. 17 terrorist group that killed 23 people from 1973-2000, including British, American and Turkish diplomats, was reportedly hospitalized with a pulmonary embolism.

Alexandros Giotopoulos directed a reign of terror until being caught and arrested in 2002, as Greece was under pressure about security ahead of the 2004 Olympic Games coming to Athens.

Giotopoulos has been in the hospital for at least 10 days after suffering a serious respiratory infection, his condition worsened by his age and other illnesses although reports said he was expected to recover and be returned to jail.

Giotopoulos, now 80, is serving 17 consecutive life sentences plus 25 years. N17 assassinated 23 people between 1975 and 2000 but after he was apprehended he was supported by those sympathetic with the group’s terrorist acts.

IN 2022, he was given a three-day vacation from jail despite his convictions for masterminding assassinations as well as the collateral damage killing of student Thanos Axarlian during an attempt to kill Finance Minister Yiannis Paleokrassas.