Six more guards called on Nigrita prison torture

Six employees of Nigrita Prison in northern Greece – where a 42-year-old Albanian inmate was found dead in his cell on March 27, apparently after a severe beating – are to face a magistrate in Serres on Monday and Tuesday on charges of torture.

Another six prison guards were remanded last week after answering to the same charges and were suspended from duty on the orders of Justice Minister Haralambos Athanasiou.

One more guard said he left the prison before the victim’s arrival and has been asked to provide evidence to back this claim. A further two guards have been conditionally released.

A medical report given to the Serres magistrate indicates that the death of Ilie Kareli was the result of injuries inflicted by torture combined with pre-existing heart problems.