Nigrita jail guards face magistrate over torture death
Eight guards from Nigrita Prison in northern Greece are due to appear before a magistrate Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into the death of Albanian inmate Ilie Kareli, believed to be a victim of torture.
The 42-year-old died in solitary confinement on March 27, several hours after being transferred to Nigrita from Malandrino jail in central Greece, where he had fatally stabbed a prison guard.
Among the eight suspects to testify before Serres magistrate Georgia Toutountzi Tuesday is Nigrita’s acting warden, identified only by his initials H.K. Speaking to Kathimerini Monday, the suspect’s lawyer, Nikos Zindras, said that Kareli had been in extremely poor health when he arrived at Itea police station ahead his final transfer to the Nigrita facility.
Policemen who escorted Kareli to Nigrita have also testified that he bore bruises and abrasions all over his body.
A police internal affairs investigation has found evidence that he was tortured at Nigrita prison, including being punched, kicked and beaten with a makeshift whip. The report also identifies the person who is believed to have caused the fatal injury on Kareli’s chest.
Seven more guards are expected to testify before the Serres magistrate on Friday.
