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. 
 
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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. 
 
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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