Greek prisons: Solidarity to hunger striker Spyros Dravilas, incarcerated in Domokos

‘All my life, I’ve never learned how to bow my head or to swallow injustice. So, starting from Monday, February 4th, I conduct a hunger strike until my struggle is vindicated and my stolen right to days of leave from prison is given back to me, so as to reclaim a breath of freedom which I deserve after so many years of incarceration at the hellholes of the Greek “correctional” system.’
—Excerpt from the recent letter of Spyros Dravilas

Dignified prisoner Spyros Dravilas had successfully conducted another hunger strike in April 2012, when the prison administration finally granted him the first temporary leave to which he was entitled long ago. After some time, and according to the prison regulation, Spyros was granted a second leave. Today, on the pretext of a 2007 case file for bank robbery in the city of Nafplion (in which Spyros states he had no involvement whatsoever), the prison prosecutor deny him the days of leave, even though it is clear that he has this right just like in the past months. The prison administration states that ‘there is a proceeding pending against him, so he is not allowed to be released even for a few days’. Tasos Theofilou, incarcerated in Domokos hellhole as well, and the imprisoned members of the R.O. Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, all support the struggle of Dravilas. Below is another message of prisoners in solidarity:

‘ We stand in solidarity with Spyros Dravilas, who has begun hunger strike since February 4th, 2013 choosing to fight with dignity for a breath of freedom, as he has declared.

Our solidarity to Spyros, and every other prisoner who chooses to stand up against the repressive policy of the State, is non-negotiable.

Babis Tsilianidis, Kostas Sakkas, Alexandros Mitroussias, Giorgos Karagiannidis, Spyros Stratoulis, Rami Syrianos, Ergün Mustafa ’

In addition, 94 inmates of Koridallos women’s prisons sent an open letter to the Greek ministry of Justice, demanding that hunger striker Spyros Dravilas receives his days of leave as provided by law.