Update from Thessaloniki - Wednesday 5th November

- For the last week, all 5 hunger strikers have been requesting admittance to hospital. This is for the
reason that if they go to hospital but still refuse food, glucose, vitamins etc, the hospital should
refuse to take legal responsibility for them which is very serious. The prison should then also refuse to
take legal responsibility for them and they should be released. However the police have refused to allow
them to be admitted to hospital, and apparently they have authority in this matter, rather than the prison.

- On Monday night - 3rd November, Carlos Martinez - one of the 2 Spanish hunger strikers - was taken to a
hospital 8km outside Thessaloniki, by an entourage of about 50 police, some wearing balaclavas. On arrival
at the hospital he was not given a bed, but put in a chair with his hands tied behind his back, where he
was beaten by the police. Throughout the night, while he tried to sleep, Carlos was continually beaten and
kicked by police. His body and legs are covered in marks and bruises.

- Early on Tuesday morning Carlos was moved to another hospital. Nobody was informed of his whereabouts. In
the hospital he was not given a translator. Doctors tried to take blood from him, but thinking they were
trying to forcibly inject glucose, he refused. The doctors said that he he refused to accept tests, they
could do nothing for him.

- At 11.30 on Tuesday morning, the support group in Thessaloniki found out where Carlos was, and a
demonstration was held outside the hospital. Carlos' lawyer tried to get access to him, and after several
hours was allowed to speak to him, and received the above information.

- Carlos was returned to prison at 2pm on Tuesday, where he has since been seen by his doctor from the
independent medical team.

- All of the prisoners are in critical health and very weak. Sulieman Dakduk, the Syrian, is unable to move
from his bed. Simon Chapman is unable to sleep. Fernando Perez is passing blood.

- Demonstrations will take place in Thessaloniki on Friday and in Athens on Saturday.

- There will be a solidarity demo in London on Saturday from 11-1pm outside the Greek Tourist office
& Olympic airlines in Conduit St, London W1. Please plan solidarity actions wherevr you live.


not sure about this situation or the accuracy of reports, which are sent to me by the Thessaloniki prisoner support group... it seems pretty insane to go on hunger strike over this, but the Syrian guy faces death if he is deported. I think he has overtaken David Blaine now on 45 days...