Athens bank robbed four times in one month

Athens bank robbed four times in one month, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The Agrotiki bank in the Athens suburb of Dafni was the target of its fourth robbery in a month when two armed men rushed into the building and seized an undisclosed amount of money from employees this morning. The two robbers escaped in a truck, evading local police.

Not only has the hapless branch been the victim of hold ups, it was also burnt out after an arson attack during the riots and protests that swept Greece last December.

Now Public

Athens calls in Scotland Yard to deal with recent attacks

The Greek government has invited British anti - terrorist experts to help with investigations into the recent spate of attacks throughout the country. According to the Greek newspaper, Kathimerini on Sunday, Sir Ian Blair, ex - head of Scotland Yard is due to arrive in the Greek capital today in order to assist in the re-organisation of the Athens's anti-terrorist unit which has so far failed to make headway in the series of bomb and gun attacks that have occured since the massive unrest in December that followed the police shooting of 15 year old Alexis Grigoropoulos.

In recent months Greece has seen a resurgence of terrorist attacks on police, banks and government targets. The recent bombing of Citibank in Athens and the destruction of nine carriage belonging to the Athens subway system in an arson attack have added to a sense of public insecurity which has damaged the ruling New Democracy party's standing in the opinion polls in what is shaping up to be a pre-election period.

So far they have been no arrests connected with any of the dozens of attacks that have taken place since December.

In addition the rampage on Friday by approximately 40 youths through the centre of Athens's upscale Kolonaki shopping district which resulted in damage to luxury cars, banks and shops took place under the noses of hundreds of riot police on duty in the vacinity. The incident which was widely reported on Greek TV has added to the widely held impression that the police has lost control of the security situation.

Greece's anti - terrorism unit was itself at the centre of more controversy when a list of 82 possible terrorist targets was leaked to the press. The publication of the list which included journalists, politicians and judges led to the suspension of four of the unit's six section chiefs earlier this week.

Blair's arrival in Athens marks the second time British police have worked with their Greek anti - terrorist counterparts. In 2000 members of Scotland Yard were invited to help with the investigation into the murder of British military attaché, Stephen Saunders who had been assasinated by the revolutionary group, 17th November.


Originally on Now Public.

Gay activists attacked by orchestra in Greek National Opera

Photo from TVXS.gr

Gay rights activists protesting the censorship of the opera Rusalka by Antonín Dvořák were attacked by members of the orchestra and security staff at the Greek National Opera (Εθνική Λυρική Σκηνή) in Athens yesterday evening.

Members of the gay and lesbian rights group OLKE were protesting the demand made by the National Opera to cut a scene from the production in which the two male characters kiss. Marion Wassermann, the French director said in an interview (click here to see video) with independent news service, TVXS.gr that although the content of the opera had been known for six weeks she was asked to make the cut only during final rehearsals.

According to Wassermann the attempt to cut the kiss came as a result of the fact that the members of the orchestra had voted to not play in the event of it being included. However the director refused to comply which led to musicians handing out leaflets last night saying that the "degenerate" scene "tainted the central hero with homosexual tendencies" and was "extreme".

Members of the Opera de Nice were booed and jeered by some members of the audience after the performance as was the director who came out on stage in attempt to justify the decision to keep the scene according to the Daily Madness blog.

Attempts by the activists to read out a statement of protest over censorship was prevented when musicians, technicians and security staff attacked members of the group and journalists present.

Originally posted on Nowpublic.com

Fiery, fiery night

Here are two news stories I noticed which didn't get widely reported outside Greece. I wrote about them for Now Public but not many other English language news sources picked up on them.

Multi - million euro arson attack on Athens subway

Nine subway carriages worth 13.5 million euros went up in flames during the early hours of Tuesday morning following an arson attack on the Athens - Piraeus Electric Railways (ISAP). A group of approximately 15 - 20 people wearing party masks boarded the last train at 1 am and when it reached the final stop in the Athens suburb of Kifissias set fire carriages (click here to see video from Mega Channel).

According to unconfirmed police reports as soon as the train reached Kifissias, its last stop the attackers forced passengers to disembark and then doused the carriages with inflammable material and set fire to it. Afterwards molotov cocktails were thrown at other parked carriages nearby.

Although no group has claimed responsibility there is strong possibility that the incident is connected with the recent attack on a labour activist who was worked as a cleaner for ISAP. In December Konstandina Kouneva who was secretary for the All - Athens Union of Cleaners and Domestics Cleaning Employees was abducted and forced to drink acid resulting in massive internal injuries and the loss of one eye.

According to Kouneva the assault followed a series of telephone threats prompted by attempts by the union to expose alleged labour rights abuses by the OIKOMET employment agency.

The incident prompted several protest marches and attacks on targets connected with the OIKOMET, which employed Kouneva and has a contract with ISAP.

UPDATE

Two previously unknown groups calling themselves The Gangs of Conscience and Perama Extremists claimed responsibility saying, it was, in part, a protest against what happened to Konstandina Kouneva. In addition it also said that it intended futher attacks on the public transport system in its proclamation.


The second story is from the Greek port of Patra.

Afghan refugees riot in Greece

Hundreds of refugees from Afghanistan clashed with riot police for hours yesterday evening in the western Greek city of Patra. The disturbances were sparked off when an Afghan man was seriously injured while trying to board a truck entering the city's port. After the accident tens of fellow refugees attacked the vehicle throwing rocks and other objects.

Later the tensions escalated leading to protesters setting up barricades and closing streets near the port. In reply the police deployed riot units and used tear gas in an effort to disperse them.Running battles lasted into the early hours of Tuesday morning as police attempted to confine the protesters to a shanty town that serves as a home for over a 1000 refugees in the city.

Unconfirmed eyewitness accounts reported on Greek blogs and Indymedia Patra speak of the involvement of residents including members of far right groups in efforts to put down the demonstration. Eventually the police were able to push back the refugees to their encampment and disperse far right groups.

Patra, which is Greece's gateway to Italy has become a way station for immigrants seeking to reach the rest of Europe. However, the Greek state has been reluctant to give official asylum status to all but a handful of immigrants entering the country without proper documentation. Greece's daily newspaper Kathimerini has reported that out of 20,692 asylum applications submitted in 2007, Greek authorities approved eight.

As a result refugees are forced to attempt the crossing to Italy illegally, often in the backs of trucks bound for the Italian ports of Brindisi and Ancona.

The riots are the latest in a series of clashes between refugees and the authorities in Patra, including a series of accusations of police abuse of Afghan refugees. In September 2008 there were also riots as refugees clashed with police and Customs officers inside the port following the beating of three immigrants.

Prisoners in Greek jails pay the price for dramatic escape

Greek prison

see larger image

uploaded by Teacher Dude

The dramatic escape by helicopter from Athens maximum security Korydallos jail by two prisoners for the second time last week turned convicted kidnappers, Vasilis Paleokostas and Alket Razai into folk heros for many ordinary Greeks. Betting sites are offering odds on if the two will be recaptured whilst on Facebook the Paleokostas Airlines group has already 51,000 members.

However, for the 12,000 other prisoners behind bars in Greece's grim jails conditions are set to deteriorate still further as the new minister for Justice, Nikos Dendias has annouced a series of measures designed to clamp down on "lax practices" by prison officers. In many cases the concessions won by prisoners after last November's mass hunger strike (see here for full story) have been revoked or will not be implemented.

As Ioanna Drosou, a prisoners' rights activist said in an interview with Greek net - based news service TVXS.gr the government has reneged on their promises to improve the conditions in the country's jails despite have been repeatedly condemned by organisations such as Amnesty and the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

Arbitary violence by prison officers, widespread drug use, overcrowding and primitive health care facilities have all been cited as areas that need to be tackled in order to bring Greek jails in line with European standards.

However, last week's prison break out which has severely embarrased the ruling New Democracy government has lead instead to a tightening of security, a move which prisoners rights organisations such as the Initiative for the Rights of Prisoners argue will futher isolate inmates from wider society and add to ths problems inherent in the prison system.

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Tags: Greece | Amnesty | World | cpt | New Democracy | Greek prisons | tvxs.gr | paleokostas | korydallos | nikos dendias

Icelanders riot outside parliament over economic crisis

The small Scandanavian country, blessed with abundant natural resources and enjoying one of the highest living standards in the world is hardly the kind of place one associates with economic catastrophe and riots. All that changed yesterday when thousands took to the streets to protest the present government's handling of the recent financial crisis. With gross national product down two thirds, a 45% rise in unemployment and the country defaulting on loan repayments Icelanders are faced with the worst economic crisis in living memory.

Riot police clashed with demonstators (click here for video) outside the Althingi House, Iceland's parliament after 2000 people surrounded the building according to Icelandic journalist, Iris Erlingsdottir writing in The Huffington Post. Icelandic press reports said Over 30 arrests were made, including an 11 year - old.

The target of their anger members of the government that presided over a meltdown in the banking sector and wider economy which has been so severe that a third of islanders are considering emmigration according to a report in the Economist. The coalition government has repeatedly rejected calls for elections in light of the current situation

As with the recent riots and protests in Greece, the impression that those in power have lined their own pockets while ordinary citizens have had to pay the price for financial mismangament has infuriated ordinary Icelanders.

Despite sub zero temperatures the protests have continued for a second day with members of the parliamentary opposition taking time out from debates to join the demonstrators.

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Tags: protests | Iceland | World | Riot | Economist | Huffington Post | reykjavik | Credit Crunch | economic crisis

For more updates check out Iceland banking crisis video and more 2008 and 2009 blog.

Anti - government protests - Thessaloniki, Greece

Anti - government protests - Thessaloniki, Greece, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Thousands of students and other groups took to the streets of Athens and Thessaloniki yesterday to protest the present Greek government and its policies.

The government has announced that it has decided on a policy of zero tolerence in dealing with Greece's recent wave of unrest and the change in the ruling New Democracy party's change in tactics was seen in a more aggresive stance on the part of the MAT (Greek riot police) on Friday.

However, the change has proved to be less effective than hoped for as most of the arrests carried out the Athens authorities turned out to be lawyers acting as volunteer legal advisors to those taking part in yesterday's march. The 18 lawyers have filed a suit against deputy minister for law and order, after the head of the riot squad that detained them said that he was carrying out a "political decision", according a report on the Greek TV station Skai's, web site.

In addition the Athenian union of newspaper correspondents (ESIEA) have officially complained to the ministry of law and order over the beating of journalists and other members of the media by the police during yesterday's march.

http://my.nowpublic.com/world/greek-protests-resume-after-holiday-lull

Also the independent Greek news agency tvxs.gr posted video of riot police intimidating innocent citizens after the march. If you fast forward to 9 mins you'll see them harrassing a senior citizen who dared to question their authority.

Despite lull in violence, Greek protests continue

The unprededented wave of protests and discontent that has hit Greece since Saturday shows no sign of abating. Although the country enjoyed relative calm last night after days of rioting, high school and university students are planning to block roads in Athens today. In addition at least 100 high schools are under occupation, as well as the universities in many cities in protest against the shooting of 15 year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos by a police officer in central Athens.

Yesterday students some as young as twelve clashed with riot police in the northern port city of Thessaloniki. The central police station in Aristotelous square came under repeated attack from stone throwing teenagers who also set fire to rubbish bins and smashed shop windows.

The Greek government has announced a series of measures to help the hundreds of businesses damaged during the riots. Estimates over the cost of disturbances rangge from a three hundred to one billion euros. However, the opposition PASOK party has expressed skepticism over the government's plans to help pointing out that similar promises were made to those who lost homes in last year's devastating forest fires yet not kept.

The two policemen accused of killing the teenager claim that the fatal shot was a ricochet and that the officer who fired had shot into the air in order to scare off a gang of thirty youths who previously attacked them with rocks and bottles.

The defendents also said in their testimony that the dead student had been expelled from several schools and involved in incidents of football hooliganism.

However, several eye witnesses interviewed on Greek TV argue that there were no more than ten youths at the time of the incident and just one bottle was thrown at the defendent's patrol car. They also claim that the officer aimed his pistol directly at the group and fired and after Grigoropoulos fell to the ground walked away.

Friends and family of the teenager also denied categorically the accusations concerning the child's supposedly troubled academic career and alleged involvement in football violence.

The Greek police federation condemned the the actions of the two officers, calling the death a "horrific criminal act".

On the other hand defence lawyer Alexis Kougias, who took on the case other two other lawyers withdrew, claimed that there had been a "misunderstanding" and that foresenic evidence bore out his client's claim that the death was the result of bullet ricocheting. The results of the ballistics analysis of the bullets fired have, however, not been released yet.

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Tags: Greece | World | Thessaloniki | Police Killing | greek riots | alexandros grigoropoulos | days of rage

No end to violence in Greek cities

With Greek riots entering their fifth day there is no sign there they about to end soon. Overnight there were violent clashes between in Athens, Thessaloniki and Volos.In Greece's second city anarchists occupying caused extensive damage to the Law and Theology department in the university campus.

In Patra and Larissa angry citizens attacked protesters in the cities universities. In addition riot police allowed groups of youths to throw rocks back at anarchist protesters in the university of Thessaloniki (see video here).

Greek prime minister, Kosas Karamanlis last night went on TV to make a call for national unity after pleas by the government for claim over the death of 15 year old Alexandros Gigoropoulos went unheeded. yesterday the funeral of the teenager shot dead by the police on Saturday was marred by incident. Video showing Greek motor cycle patrolmen firing into the air toscare off high school students wa shown on national TV (see video here). In addition other photographs have emerged of police officers pointing service pistols at demonstrators.

Today, Greek trade unions have called for a nationwide strike in order to protest the present government's handling of the economy.

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Tags: World | athens | Thessaloniki | greek riots | greece patras | illegal police shotings | alexandros grigoropoulos

Another night of rioting hits Greece

Last night saw the another round of protests and riots in Greece's major cities sparked off by the shooting by police of a 15 year - old in Athens on sSaturday. The scale and intensity of the the troubles has alarmed at shocked those in power and is being compared in the media to the disturbances that followed the Rodney King beating in LA and the 2005 riots in France

In Thessaloniki, Greece's second largest city between 5000 and 10, 000 people took part in a protest march last night which was repeatedly tear gassed by riot police. In addition the march was also accompanied by attacks by anarchist groups on stores belonging to multi-national chains, banks and post offices. Several buildings were set on fire including Starbucks and McDonald franchises during the clashes which lasted into the morning.

Although Athens and Thessaloniki are quiet at the moment more protest marches are planned to coincide with the burial today of 15 year old Alexandros Grigoropoulos. In the original police report the death was termed an act of self defense by the two police officers involved who claimed that they had come under attack from a mob of thirty youths.

However, eye witness accounts given to the Greek media talk of an execution style killing as the officer who fired first aimed at the youth after getting into an argument with the teenagers.

What many argue, though is the killing of Alexandros was merely the cue for the violent expression of a much deeper sense of dissatisfaction by young Greeks. Even before the current economic downturn those under 25 faced sky high levels of unemployment and limited prospects in low paying jobs. This combined with a deep sense of distrust of the government fostered by years of scandal has found its expression in violence and protests seen over the last four days.

In addition the incident has once again thrown light on the Greek police's tarnished record concerning unlawful killings and a systematic lack of accountability even when evidence of abuse is overwhelming. According to the national daily, Eleutherotypia one person a week dies in custody in Greek police stations and jails.

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Tags: Greece | World | Riots | police violence | Thessaloniki | protest march | greek riots | greek youth

Greek riots enter third day

Despite entering their third day the scenes of chaos and rioting in Greece's major cities seems far from over. Although there was an overnight lull in the clashes between protesters and riot police in Athens and other cities the peace was once again broken this afternoon when high school student marchers protesting the death of 15 year old, Andreas Grigoropoulos turned violent. Once more the central police station Thessaloniki, The country's second largest city came under attack. Unconfirmed eye witness accounts say that the police arrested a 13 year old girl during the event.

With the smell of burning plastic and tear gas hanging over much of the centre Thessaloniki resembles a war zone with heavily armoured riot police taking and re-taking strategic points along the central Egnatia Boulevard. In keeping with the tenets of guerrilla warfare their opponent simply retreat from the onslaught simply to reappear elsewhere within minutes.

Anarchist protesters have also taken over much of the university campus and other off campus departments such as the school of theatre where huge banners are hanging from the upper floor windows and loud rock music is blasting out.

In the face of such wide spread resistance the riot police appear unable to maintain order in the city. The situation seems to have slipped out the authorities ability to control. Traffic is still being allowed to enter riot zones around the university even though drivers are coming under attack with stones and paving blocks. 

With two more protest rallies scheduled today at 6pm today in Athens and Thessaloniki there is little likelihood that tensions will lessen and protesters go home. Indeed more and more cities throughout the country are reporting unrest.

The latest revelation that the dead teenager was apparently shot in cold blood by a police officer in the Exarchia district on Saturday has simply added to the anger and frustration that many young Greeks feel over the situation in the country as a whole. Rising unemployment, low wages and limited prospects have helped fuel a toxic mix which is easily ignited. However, it should be noted that while violent street clashes are not unusual in Greece the length, duration and intensity of these latest episodes has taken many by surprise.

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Tags: Greece | protests | World | Riots | Thessaloniki | Andreas Grigoropoulos | greek riots

Greece erupts in flames after death of teen.

The death of a 15 year - old in central Athens during clashes with police in the Exearchia district has sparked off a series of violent protests in the Greek capital and other major cities. Thessaloniki, Patras, and Crete all witnessed violent clashes between demonstrators and riot police.

According to official reports Andreas Grigoropoulos died after being shot at 9pm by police guarding the Exarcheia police station, which due to its proximity to the university of Athens is often a target for attacks by anarchist and other leftist groups. However, eyewitness accounts tell a different story. According to local residents the the police officer shot Grigoropoulos after an argument. Greek national TV is now calling the incident a "cold blooded Murder" rather than an act of self - defence.

News of the death quickly spread via the internet, SMS and word of mouth leading to protests across Greece. Today's marches quickly turned violent as enraged demonstrators took our their anger on banks, shops and police stations.

In Thessaloniki, Greece's second city the central Leukos Pyrgos police station was attacked by masked anarchists with rocks and Molotov cocktails. The police replied with tear gas and flash grenades causing panic and chaos amongst the thousands of marchers not involved in the violence.

TV images being shown live on Greek TV show central Athens swathed in smoke and tear gas and tens of small fires burn unattended as the fire fighters are unable to put them out.

Although violent scenes are not uncommon in Greece the extent, duration and intensity of the riots seems to have taken the authorities by surprise.In addition the fact that many of those who took in protest marches were neither young nor students is indicative of the fact that the death of the teenager has angered many Greeks. Case in point was the pensioner, who stood in front of a phalanx of riot police, apoplectic with rage shouting, "cops, killer, pigs" during the march in Thessaloniki

The events couldn't have come at a worst time for the conservative New Democracy government which has been losing support due to its handing of the recent economic crisis and the alleged involvement of many senior officials in the Vatopedi corruption scandal.

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Tags: Greece | protests | World | Riots | athens | Thessaloniki | Andreas Grigoropoulos | police death

Greek farmer protesting low milk prices

Greek farmer protesting low milk prices, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Greek farmers protested against the low prices paid to them by diary companies by handing out free milk, yoghurt and cheese outside the ministry of Northern Greece, Thessaloniki.

For more details in English check out my Nowpublic article here (για περισσοτερες λεπτομεριες στα Ελληνικα κανε κλικ εδω).

5600 prisoners on hunger strike in Greece

Amidst the glam and glitter that go with the opening of any international event, the start of the Thessaloniki film festival was also marked by a march of between 500 and 1000 anarchist protesting conditions in Greece’s prison system. The demonstrations, which took place yesterday evening in most of the country’s major cities were aimed at bring public attention to the hunger strike taking place throughout country’s jails.

According to figures released by the Greek ministry of justice over 5600 of prisoners in jail are still either on hunger strike or refusing prison meals. Three Kurdish inmates in Trikaka, central Greece have also sewn their mouths shut in protest, according to some reports.

The prisoners’s action started on 3rd November in order to highlight a 16 - point list of demands which include the reduction of sentences, the ending of punitive disciplinary measures against inmates and improvements in basic hygiene and sanitation.

According to the Initiative for Prisoner Rights blog (www.keli.gr) the government’s response to the crisis and attempts at negotiation are “inadequate” and fail to address the protestors basic demands.

The site also said that the strike claimed its first victim when 32 year old Nicolas Badakis, a participating inmate in the Grevena prison in northern Greece was found dead in his cell on the 13th November. Badakis had originally been found unconscious in his cell and taken to the local hospital. Next day he was released from hospital care and return to jail where he died the following day.

The hunger strike has also put extra strain on the Greek prison health care system which has long been criticised as severly lacking in European Union reports. Last year the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) roundly condemned the Greek authorities for conditions in the nation’s penal system. Their 2007 report was scathing in its condemnation of the standards of health care in the system and the poor conditions in which many were held, often without proper health care facilities.

Much of the medical treatment such as the keeping of records and provision of medication is carried out by the prisoners themselves in Greek jails. In addition prisoners often do not have access to hot water or soap and in some cases are allowed just one toilet roll per month.

Earlier this year the Greek language newspaper, Eleutherotypia reported that on average in 2008 one person a week died in custody in Greece.

Greek minister for finance, Giorgos Alogoskoufis was pelted with eggs by protesters during a speech at the London School of Economics on 14th November. According to the Greek national daily, Ta Nea the protesters scattered leaflets and shouted slogans in support of hunger strikers. In addition there have been dozens of attacks with improvised incendiary devices against banks, political party offices, luxury car outlets and news vans throught Athens and Thessaloniki.

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Tags: Greece | World | Hunger Strike | athens | demo | Thessaloniki | penal system | prison revolt | giorgos alogoskoufis

Greek national newspaper in anti-semitism row

Greek national daily, Avriani (Tomorrow) has found itself in the centre of allegations of anti-semitism over its 4th November front page headline;

THE END OF JEWISH DOMINATION:

“Everything changes in America which we hope will become more democratic and humane”

The paper's lead story stated that Barack Obama's recent victory in the US elections was a major setback to Jewish influence over the US government. It also claimed that Arabic finance was behind Obama's success in the presidential race over the McCain - Palin ticket who were "puppets" of the Jewish lobby.

The report has produced a strong response from Greek human rights groups and Jewish community organisations. The Greek Helsinki Monitor condemned the newspaper and accused the Greek government of indirectly supporting racism as the the front page article also featured an advertisment for the state run OPAP gaming company.

In addition the Anti-Defamation League claimed the story showed that, "anti-Semitism remains alive in Greece today» and that political leaders need to take a clear stand against hate."


It should be noted that despite the existence of legislation outlawing racist speech for nearly 30 years in Greece and numerous incidences in both the printed and electronic press there has been only one successful conviction (click here).


In 2008 the far right Eletherous Kosmos (Free World) newspaper was found guilty under article 2 of law 927/79 for publishing a column by Theodoros Hatzigogos which stated,"Thank God, less than 1500 Jews have been left in Thessaloniki." Apparently referring to the fact that the vast majority of Thessaloniki's (Greece's second city) Jewish population died in Nazi death camps during the Second World War."

This story can also be seen on NowPublic.com

Thanks to Devious Diva and Abravanel for putting me onto this story

Prisoners in Greek jails go on hunger strike

Prisoners in jails across Greece are set to begin a hunger strike from tomorrow in protest against conditions.Included in their demands are calls for a reduction in sentences, the provision of basic medical services and the greater access to inmates by human rights groups.

A list of 16 demands drawn up by the Initiative for Prisoner Rights (click here for their Greek language blog) was published on the group's blog on 30th October. The blog also mentioned that the coming protests had triggered a "climate of terror" and that there had been mass transfer of prisoners over the previous 24 hours.

Last year the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) roundly condemned the Greek authorities for turning a blind eye to the violent treatment of prisoners and suspects by prison and police officers (click here to see report) . They documented numerous cases of abuse, especially of inmates from minority groups being threatened with beatings, reprisals and even rape by law enforcement officials.

The report was also scathing it its condemnation of the standards of health care in the system and the poor conditions in which many were held. Often without proper health care facilities available much of the medical treatment such as the keeping of records and provision of medication is carried out by the prisoners themselves in Greek jails. In addition prisoners often do not have access to hot water or soap and in some cases are allowed just one toilet roll per month.

It should be noted that in the high security Korydellos men's prison, Athens, 2043 prisoner are housed in a facility designed to take 645 and that despite repeated assurances by the Greek government little has been done to provide any form of vocational, educational or cultural activity.

Indeed the delegation noted that little had been done to improve conditions overall since their last visit in 2005.

The CPT also reported that their work was impeded by constant surveillance by the Greek police and in the case of a suspect who died in police custody files on the case were snatched from the visiting delegate's hand by the station commmander at the Omonia police station in Athens.

Earlier this year the Greek language newspaper, Eleutherotypia reported that on average in 2008 one person a week died in custody in Greece.

The Greek government however, denied that there was systematic maltreatment of prisoner and said that every possibe attempt was being made to improve deficiences in the prison system in its official reply to the CPT report ( click here).

NowPublic

Tags: Greece | World | prisons | Hunger Strike | cpt | European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment