According to news reports, the anarchists entered the courtyard and raised a banner in support of the hunger strikers at the entrance of the main building. After shouting a few slogans, they departed. As such, all gates and entrances to Parliament were closed as a precaution.
Shortly after the incident police authorities announced that they detained about 15 (out of a rumored 20+) of the anarchists who carried out the protest in the Parliament courtyard.
When asked about the protest, the President of Parliament Zoi Konstantopoulou asked journalists whether they were "upset because some [people] demonstrated".
Meanwhile, reports circulated that a number of opposition MPs demanded the resignation of the Alternate Minister of Public Order Yannis Panousis over the unprecedented incident. In response, government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis issued a statement, noting that the invasion in the courtyard of Parliament was “provocative and incomprehensible”, while arguing that such actions work against “the government’s decision to remove the railings of shame from the courtyard”.
The SYRIZA spokesman reiterated that the government pledges to abolish the “Type C” prison facilities (one of the main protester demands), as well as to take steps towards “humanizing” the country’s penal system. The spokesman further stressed that the government is committed to safeguarding human life, the rule of law and order.
The opposition parties quickly reacted. Former Minister of Public Order for New Democracy, Vasilis Kikilias, told the Greek press that the government has "lost control", while Nikos Dendias (another former Minister of Order) called the government to safeguard the rule of law. PASOK MP Fofi Genimmata on the other hand wondered whether the government exists at all, because of the invasion and barrage of occupation of public buildings by self-proclaimed anarchist groups over the last few days.
The Ministry of Justice’s latest bill proposal, which aims to abolish the controversial “Type C” maximum security facilities, among others, has come under fire by the country’s prosecutors.
Specifically, the union of prosecutors disagrees with a provision that would allow the provisional release of convict from every crime and degree, which aims to decongest Greek prisons. The union argues that it will essentially cancel judicial decisions and limits the preventative effect of sentences. Furthermore, this controversial provision will not allow the fair and proportionate punishment of crimes committed by offenders
The union further argued that public safety is at risk, should such a measure be implemented without any exemptions or relevance to the gravity of the crime committed. While the union concedes that the bill aims to address humanitarian concerns, particularly in the case of patients and disabled convicts, they note that this humanitarianism is “a la carte” and does not allow judicial authorities to consider each individual case on its own merits.
Regarding the provision which will see most minor offenders released, unless they committed a serious felony resulting in life imprisonment, the union of prosecutors fears that minors will be exploited by older criminals. Finally, the union underlines that these reforms are “opportunistic, disjointed and ultimately alien to the penal doctrine”.
Source: ANA-MPA, enikos, To Vima, newsbomb, newsit,
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