Albanian prisoners hunger strike in Corfu prisons

About 70 inmates of Corfu Prisons -- the majority of them of Albanian nationality -- have gone on hunger strike.

They have submitted a series of requirements, including facilitating strict criteria with which licenses and parole are established.

At the same time, they raise a number of issues involving recruiting medical personnel and social workers, as well as a resident doctor.

A prisoner who spoke by phone to Albanian media called for the Albanian Embassy's intervention with Greek authorities to meet their demands.

The Corfu Prison Administration stressed to Greek media ERT that parole or prison licenses are approved by the Council of Prisons, led by a prosecutor, and decisions are not only related to the timeframe, but take into account many custom parameters.

As for personnel requests, the same sources underlined that a proclamation has been made to both social workers and nurses, positions expected to be met in the following months, while medical coverage, although there are reports, has not yet shown interest in positions in question.

However, the needs are covered in shifts by doctors, two to three times a week at the prison clinic. The hunger strike began Thursday, continuing for several days, tch reports.