Doctors defend hunger-striking convicts

Doctors at the Geniko Kratiko state hospital in Nikaia, near Piraeus, where two convicted members of the Revolutionary Struggle guerrilla group were transferred earlier this week following a protracted hunger strike, on Wednesday issued a statement accusing authorities of violating the right of patients to refuse treatment and illegally using a hospital as a place of detention.

Nikos Maziotis, the self-professed leader of the group, and his partner Pola Roupa, who are both serving time for terrorist acts in Attica's Korydallos Prison, yesterday completed their 26th day on hunger strike.

The pair are protesting the alleged violation of an agreement that they be allowed to communicate with their child and their lawyers without hindrance.