Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ATHENS1607
2008-11-28 15:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Athens
Cable title:  

GREECE: 18-DAY PRISON STRIKES END WITH GOG

Tags:  PGOV PHUM KCRM KTIP GR 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1785
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNP RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHTH #1607/01 3331539
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281539Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY ATHENS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2850
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001607 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCRM KTIP GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: 18-DAY PRISON STRIKES END WITH GOG
ANNOUNCEMENT TO RELEASE HALF OF PRISON POPULATION

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.

-------
SUMMARY
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 001607

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KCRM KTIP GR
SUBJECT: GREECE: 18-DAY PRISON STRIKES END WITH GOG
ANNOUNCEMENT TO RELEASE HALF OF PRISON POPULATION

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.

--------------
SUMMARY
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1. (SBU) On November 21, an estimated 8,000 inmates
nationwide ended their 18-day hunger strike against
overcrowding in Greek prisons following GOG announcement that
it would release almost half of Greece's prison population.
Since November 3, the unrest in prison detention centers
propelled supporting riots and arson attacks by sympathetic
anarchists. The decision to conclude the strike came after
the November 21 announcement by Justice Minister Hatzigakis
of new measures for improving prison conditions, which
provide for the gradual release of 5,500 inmates by April
2009 -- a step that will alleviate prison overcrowding, a
persistent human rights concern. Given Greek law
enforcement's weak record on penalizing violent anarchists,
traffickers in persons, and corrupt officials, however, this
prisoner release will likely further diminish the GOG's
ability to deter crime. END SUMMARY.

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PRISONER UNREST
--------------


2. (U) On Monday, November 3, inmates from all 21 Greek
prisons launched a three-stage hunger strike in support of a
45-point reform agenda. Among their demands, the prisoners
sought the abolition of juvenile prisons, an overall time
reduction in sentencing, and greater freedoms. The total
prison population in Greece is approximately 12,300 in
penitentiaries meant to hold a maximum of 8,200.


3. (U) The first stage of the hunger strike campaign called
for the refusal of food provided by the prison.
Approximately 7,000 out of 12,300 inmates participated in the
prison food boycott. U.S. Consular Officers on routine
prison visits observed that despite the inmates' refusal to
eat prison-catered food, most still had access to private
sources of food.


4. (U) On Friday, November 7, approximately 1,000 inmates
advanced to the second stage of the prisoners' campaign by
going on a complete hunger strike. 17 of those prisoners
stitched their mouths shut. By November 19 many detainees
began to refuse water consumption as well. Several
participants were hospitalized.


5. (SBU) The third stage of the campaign was a general
prisoners' uprising, coordinated with sympathy protest

marches throughout Greece. While no prison breakouts were
reported, protest marches, concerts, and other events were
held outside detention centers and in the streets of Greek's
major cities. These protests were disquieting to the
government, which -- according to recent polls -- was already
facing a significant decrease in public support.

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ANARCHIST INVOLVMENT
--------------


6. (U) Numerous riots and arson attacks linked to anarchist
groups occurred during the prisoners' hunger strike. One
such group, the "Incendiary Committee of Solidarity for
Detainees," claimed responsibility for attacking property
owned by private security companies that work with the
Ministry of Justice, with threats to cause further
destruction. Between November 6-11, the "Incendiary
Solidarity" group claimed responsibility for ten attacks.
Other arson attacks and vehicle hijackings took place in
central Athens and its surrounding regions. (COMMENT: The
overlapping of the strike with the November 17 anniversary of
the Athens Polytechnic uprising likely fueled heavy anarchist
activity. END COMMENT)

-------------- --------------
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE'S RESPONSE: RELEASE PRISONERS
-------------- --------------


7. (U) On November 20, Justice Minister Hatzigakis met with
opposition and NGO representatives to announce the
government's response and plan for prison "reform." The most
significant proposal was the planned release of 45 percent of
Greece's prison population within the next five months.
According to the new plan, 1,740 prisoners serving up to
5-year sentences would be released immediately if they met
the conditions of the Penal Code. Additionally, nine
prisoners would be released immediately due to critical
health conditions. The new measures would also abolish
juvenile prisons, accumulative disciplinary penalies, and

ATHENS 00001607 002 OF 002


the 18-month pre-trial detention for a large number of
offenses. The proposed legislation, however, would not
reduce sentences for inmates involved in drug smuggling or
"gruesome" crimes.


8. (U) Justice Minister Hatzigakis sent the draft law to be
tabled for Parliamentary approval. PASOK spokeswoman for
domestic affairs Haris Kastanidis commented that the draft
bill was inadequate and while it contained some positive
measures, it didn't address the problem as a whole.

--------------
HUNGER STRIKE ENDS
--------------


9. (U) On November 20, the Committee of Prison Inmates
announced that Friday, November 21 would mark the end of the
prison hunger strike. While the committee commented tha the
draft law does little to cover the inmats' demands, they
recognized the new measures as the "first step" to a
resolution.


10. (SBU) COMMENT: While Hatzigakis' new measures will
address prison overcrowding, an important human rights
concern, the GOG "solution" of releasing nearly half of all
those in prison creates as many if not more problems as it
solves in a country already seen as weak on crime. The
Embassy continues to reach out to Hellenic Police and
Ministry of Justice interlocutors to press for new prison
facilities, better inmate conditions, but also tough and fair
convictions and sentences for corrupt officials, violent
anarchists, and traffickers in persons. END COMMENT.

SPECKHARD