Arson at Diavaton Prison: four Turkish inmates identified
Four Turkish inmates have been identified as suspects in the arson attack at Diavaton Prison in August, in an apparent show of solidarity with a fellow national who was extradited on drug charges.
Arson at Diavaton Prison — four Turkish inmates charged over August fire
Four Turkish inmates have been identified as perpetrators of the fire that broke out last August at Diavaton Prison in Thessaloniki, according to Dikastiko.gr. The Hellenic Police characterise the incident as arson and link it to the extradition of a detainee to Turkey.
The four men, aged 32, 26, 50 and 55, face charges of arson and aggravated property damage. According to a police statement, the action is believed to have been an expression of solidarity towards a 48-year-old Turkish co-inmate, for whom an extradition decision to Turkey had been issued in a drug trafficking case.
How the fire developed
According to police investigation, the 32-year-old exited his detention cell carrying mattresses that he had already set alight and moved them to a corridor of the detention facility. The remaining three inmates are alleged to have contributed to the spread of the flames in two ways: by placing cabinets in front of the corridor door to prevent it from closing, and by transferring additional mattresses from inside the cells.
Fire brigade and police forces were mobilised to extinguish the blaze, as well as the external guard of the detention facility. Some inmates required hospitalisation after experiencing respiratory problems.
Transfers following the incident
As part of the investigation, the authorities examined the presence and movements of inmates of Turkish origin during the incident. Following the completion of initial investigative steps, a decision was made to transfer the specific inmates to other wings of Diavaton Prison, with the aim of preventing further tensions.
Source: Dikastiko.gr