Early release for disabled prisoners not just for Xeros, says minister
Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos insisted on Thursday that the government’s plans to pass legislation allowing the release of prisoners suffering from disabilities had nothing to do with November 17 terrorist Savvas Xeros, who is also set to benefit from the proposed measures.
Paraskevopoulos told Vima FM that the proposed law has been made necessary by the lack of facilities at Greece’s prisons to treat disabled inmates.
“I recognize that there is a problem because this amendment also affects Savvas Xeros,” he said.
“But I would not want to shape around one person an amendment that would be detrimental to others.”
The minister admitted that Xeros, who is serving five life sentences for the same number of murders but also has a number of illnesses that include multiple sclerosis, would be released if the amendment is approved by MPs.
“If we had a hospital that would provide human and scientifically adequate conditions, there would be no reason for the inmate to be released earlier.”
