Documento - Further information on UA 327/91 (EUR 25/14/91, 7 October) - Greece: medical concern: Giannis Smaragdis

EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 25/20/91

Distr: UA/SC

22 November 1991

Further information on UA 327/91 (EUR 25/14/91, 7 October 1991) - Medical Concern

GREECE:Giannis SMARAGDIS (aged 31 - please note correction to age)

Giannis Smaragdis, who has been adopted by Amnesty International as a prisoner of conscience, is suffering from Hodgkins Disease, a form of cancer, and remains imprisoned in Kassandra Agricultural Prison. He urgently requires medical treatment for this potentially fatal condition which he is unable to receive in prison. Giannis Smaragdis is running a high temperature and is said to be very weak. Amnesty International is gravely concerned at the apparent continuing official indifference to Giannis Smaragdis' health which is deteriorating.

It is now two months since Giannis Smaragdis' lawyer applied for an appeal court hearing but he has still not been given a date for the hearing.

Giannis Smaragdis is one of some 400 conscientious objectors imprisoned in Greece. There is no provision in Greece for an alternative civilian service for conscientious objectors. Amnesty International considers all of them to be prisoners of conscience and appeals for their release, but considers that the case of Giannis Smaragdis should be dealt with as a matter of urgency.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:

- expressing grave concern about the continued imprisonment of conscientious objector Giannis Smaragdis in Kassandra Agricultural Prison who is suffering from Hodgkins Disease;

- pointing out that it now more than two months since Giannis Smaragdis' lawyer applied for an appeal court hearing to obtain Giannis Smaragdis' release but no date has yet been set;

- expressing grave concern at the apparent continuing official indifference to Giannis Smaragdis' health which is deteriorating;

- appealing that in view of the seriousness of his condition, Giannis Smaragdis should be released from prison immediately so that he can start medical treatment.

APPEALS TO:

Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis Dear Prime Minister

Office of the Prime Minister

Megaron Maximou

Herodou Atticou Avenue

106 74 Athens

Greece

Telegrams: Prime Minister Mitsotakis, Athens, Greece

Faxes:+30 1 322 44 66, +30 1 724 0764

Page 2 of FU 327/91

Mr Ioannis Varvitsiotis Dear Minister

Minister of National Defence