Golden Dawn deputy Ilias Kasidiaris who is detained in Korydallos prison. Photo: ethnos.gr
Prisoners of the women’s wing of Korydallos prison inform of "racist and vulgar" behaviour on the part of the detained members of Golden Dawn.
In an open letter signed by the "Committee for fight in women's prisons", the female prisoners respond to the transfer of about 100 women to the second floor of the prison in order for the first floor to house 6 members of Golden Dawn without losing their privileges, as stated in the letter.
"We will cite as an example the fact that the neo-Nazis have requested only Greek women, prisoners, to serve their food, rather than immigrant women, as they probably consider them as inferior beings", the female prisoners state in their letter. "The courtyard will remain in the hands of Golden Dawners and we will have to walk in the old courtyard, passing through the kitchen and other shared areas. Also, because of the eye contact with the neo-Nazis, we will be exposed to their sexist and offensive comments, since their behaviour is still racist and vulgar", reads the letter.
Women who are awaiting their trials are still being sent to Korydallos prison whereas the majority of the convicted ones have been transferred to other prisons, mainly in Eleonas, Thebes district.
As stated by the women, their transfer is planned for Saturday and they are ready to start protests, including a hunger strike, to prevent it. "The wing of the Golden Dawners was originally intended for us, the women prisoners, but now they want to squeeze us like sardines in one floor in order for the neo-Nazis to not lose their privileges. In other words, on two floors with the same capacity, they want to bring together 100 prisoners on one floor, literally one on top of the other, whereas the other floor will remain for 6 members of Golden Dawn. And while they want to squeeze us in the upper floor, the Ministry is completely indifferent to the fate of the disabled inmates who will not be able to climb up and down the stairs to obtain the medical care they need. At the same time, to reduce our numbers and be able to squeeze us in one floor, they have made dozens of transfers to Thebes prison", the women explain, concluding,
"If the Ministry of Justice believes that we will sit back and watch passively how our rights are being violated one after another, it is deeply mistaken. We will not be passive spectators of injustice, nor will we leave the challenges of the Ministry and Golden Dawners without a response. This message is our first form of protest. We call upon the competent authorities to assume their responsibilities because we will not give up our dignity and our rights without a fight..."
The transfer of the prisoners was confirmed by the Ministry of Justice but its senior representatives, however, say that the conditions will be much better. "Two old wings are being demolished as the 10 acres that belonged to the prison will be provided to the Korydallos municipality," a senior official from the Ministry told "Ethnos" newspaper. "The two recently renovated wings will house the female prisoners, some of whom will have to be moved to Eleonas prison. The deputies of Golden Dawn will be on another floor for security reasons and the female prisoners will not have any contact with them since there will be a separate courtyard and separate areas precisely in order to avoid any problems," notes the same senior official.