Vasilis Kikilias

A parliamentary committee began debating amid disagreements on Monday a government bill that foresees the scrapping of maximum security jails.

Greece's Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias could not confirm on Monday claims made by a passenger rescued from the stranded Norman Atlantic ferry that four people had died on the vessel.

Greece insisted on Friday that it would not be deterred from pursuing closer ties with Israel after gunmen opened fire on the Israeli Embassy in Athens, an attack that police believe was carried out by urban guerrillas calling themselves the Popular Fighters Group.

The Greek government condemned on Friday as a "terrorist assault on democracy" a night-time gun attack on the Israeli embassy in Athens that saw the building sprayed with gunfire but no one hurt.

The Greek government condemned on Dec. 12 as a "terrorist assault on democracy" a night-time gun attack on the Isreali embassy in Athens that saw the building sprayed with gunfire but no one hurt.
      

Greek Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias (photo) on Thursday called on political parties and citizens to show self-restraint over the next few days as Athens enters a particularly tense period.

As 21-year-old anarchist and convicted bank robber Nikos Romanos entered the 21st day of a hunger strike on Monday, protesting the authorities’ refusal to grant him furlough to study at a technical college, the government appeared uncertain how to react.

Education Minister Andreas Loverdos has declared himself in favor of prisoners being allowed to study as anarchist and convicted bank robber Nikos Romanos enters a fourth week of hunger strike in protest at being prevented from being granted leave to study at a technical college.

Some 200 Syrian refugees protesting in front of Greek Parliament for the last six days went on hunger strike on Monday.

The protesters have taped shut their mouths as they demand asylum and medical assistance. One of the Syrian women taking part in the protest fainted on Monday and had to be taken to the hospital.

A few hours after two 5.1-Richter quakes struck the Gulf of Evia, north of Athens, Public Order Minister Vassilis Kikilias on Tuesday heralded a readiness exercise to ensure that Greek authorities are prepared to respond adequately in the event of a strong earthquake.