Another case of law violation of three prisoners in the detention rooms of Pogradeci Police Station

AHC has put forth more than once the issue of keeping the convicts in the detention cells of the Police Stations after they are sentenced by a peremptory court verdict. This situation has provoked many complaints on the part of the prisoners, who are forced to often confront difficult and inhuman conditions.

The press released a report about a very grave case, where three prisoners have proclaimed a hunger strike because of being isolated in the detention rooms of Pogradeci Police Station, although they are sentenced with a respective peremptory verdict. This is a serious violation of the law and there is no excuse for such a situation.

AHC has appealed to some competent authorities to take emergent action to improve the situation. It is continuously stated that this situation is a result of overcrowded prisons. It is quite comprehensible that this issue finds a complete solution in the actual conditions. But AHC considers there must be a waiting list for the transfer of detainees in prisons. The foresaid case is especially acute and it’s unacceptable that the condemned sentenced for a long period be kept in detention rooms. It must be of prior consideration of the competent bodies that in the case of overcrowded prisons, first of all the condemned for a long period must be transferred to prisons. It is quite unacceptable that this very long period like that one in the Police Station of Pogradec and the reaction of the prisoners is quite justifiable.

Measures must be taken in order this case meets the right solution, to avoid the heavy consequences that can be reflected in the medical and psychological condition of the condemned.

15.07.2002