Twenty-one-year-old Greek anarchist Nikos Romanos continues his hunger strike for the 26th consecutive day, in demand of an educational leave from prison in order to attend his studies at the Business Department of the Technical Education Institute of Athens, where he was granted a position after successfully passing the entry exams. According to his father, Giorgos Romanos, his son’s health has further deteriorated and fainted on Thursday night, but as his attorney, Frangkiskos Ragousis, told Greek TV, he remains adamant about continuing his hunger strike. Romanos’ parents refused Justice Minister Charalmbos Athanasiou’s proposal to enforce a legislation that would allow their son to study while in prison, by distance learning. In a letter, they stated that Athanasiou never attempted to contact them and underlined that in a few days, Greece will “mourn the first dead political prisoner from a hunger strike.” Speaking on Greek TV yesterday, Athanasiou justified the court’s decision to reject the Greek anarchist’s student leave, as “Mr. Romanos, except from a convict, is also waiting to be tried. There are other convictions pending against him. To detainees, under the law, a relevant leave can be granted only with the consent of the trial’s judge, which was not done.” On his behalf, main opposition SYRIZA spokesman Panos Skourletis underlined that the government’s stance in Romanos’ case shows “analgesia, authoritarianism and vindictiveness.” Earlier today, Giannis Michailidis, also convicted for the bank robbery with Romanos in Velvento, northern Greece, and who has also gone on a hunger strike since November 17 in solidarity with his friend and accomplice, issued a written statement in support of Romanos and the ongoing solidarity mobilizations. “Stay tough, you have messed up their celebrations so far. You will not break, so they will bend. I stand by your side until the final victory,” he said addressing Romanos, while addressing the Greek Justice Minister, he warned that “I am very hungry. If you murder Nikos, the only thing that can satiate me again, is your throat.” During the last week, solidarity demonstrations and other forms of action supporting his cause have been organized across Greece. In Athens, protesters have occupied various buildings, including the headquarters of the country’s largest trade union, GSEE, in downtown Athens, just a few meters away from the also occupied Athens Polytechnic School. In addition, the municipal offices of Heraklion and Rethymno in Crete are also under occupation, while in Thessaloniki, protesters took over the “Olympion” cinema in Aristotelous Square. In Patras, protesters have reportedly reoccupied a university building. Earlier today, tension rose inside the “Gennimatas” Hospital, where Romanos has been taken for medical observation, after protesters managed to reach his room, while another solidarity demonstration is arranged for tonight outside the hospital.
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