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The Greek parliament has unanimously adopted the proposal of Minister of Justice Haralambos Athanasiou for tackling the hunger strike by Nikos Romanos who is detained for terrorism. After intense pressure from many sides until the last moment, the Minister has prepared and submitted to the lawmakers an amendment to the law under which the prisoners will not only be able to attend distant courses but also to leave the prison with tracking bracelets.

In the case of Romanos in particular, the lawmakers have decided to allow him to leave the prison with a tracking bracelet, if he has successfully passed 1/3 of the exams and the laboratory exercises within one academic semester. Initially, the legal text provided for a period of one year, which was later reduced by half.

Shortly after the vote on the amendment, Nikos Romanos’ lawyer said that his client would suspend the hunger strike. According to the Greek media, he had immediately started taking food and in particular rusks.

"To Vima" newspaper reports that earlier today President Karolos Papoulias had called Prime Minister Samaras and urged the government to find a solution. SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras had previously spoken with President Papoulias on the same issue as well.

Today was the 31st day of the hunger strike by Nikos Romanos. According to the doctors who have been following his condition, he has lost about 15 kilograms of his body weight, having taken only water with sugar. His lawyer had said in the morning that today Romanos would stop taking even water.

It is noteworthy that in statements for GRReporter the doctors indicated that, after such a long hunger strike, he should weigh only 15 kilograms and be in bed.