Judicial officials yesterday completed the questioning of 28 doctors on the Ionian island of Zakynthos who face criminal charges after allegedly administering painkillers to drug addicts.

The doctors have been accused of distributing the painkiller pethidine, which is an opioid analgesic, to the addicts but claim they have often been left with no choice because drug users suffering from withdrawal symptoms have threatened the medics.

Medical authorities say that the lack of a drug treatment center on the island and security at the hospital means that doctors come under great pressure from addicts, including threats of physical harm.

Officials said that a drug user from Zakynthos committed suicide a few days ago because doctors have been banned from administering pethidine any more.

Dionysis Margaris, the lawyer acting for the doctors, said they had only been “trying to save lives.”

“None of the doctors issued drugs as a substitute,” Margaris said. The doctors, some of whom are no longer at the hospital, have been charged with illegally administering pethidine.