A Syriza lawmaker's public defence of convicted November 17 leader Alexandros Giotopoulos has ignited a fierce national backlash, with journalists, victims' families and political figures uniting in condemnation after she described his return to prison as a "defeat for democracy."

The U.S. State Department called Alexandros Giotopoulos "a convicted murderer and terrorist" and expressed solidarity with victims' families after the Greek appeals court released the 82-year-old November 17 leader on medical grounds — a decision that has now drawn condemnation from Washington, Ankara and prominent Greek political figures within days of his release.

Giotopoulos was released by decision of the Court of Appeals. He had been sentenced to 17 life terms and 25 years in prison as the leader of the 17 November.