-5EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of the April 2015 ad hoc visit to Greece was to assess the implementation of the CPT’s previous recommendations, notably those contained in the reports on the 2011 and 2013 visits. To this end, its delegation examined the treatment of persons in police custody and the practical application of safeguards surrounding their detention. A specific focus of the visit was to look into the effectiveness of investigations of police ill-treatment allegations. It also reviewed the treatment and detention conditions of inmates in several prison establishments, including Korydallos Prison Hospital, and examined the situation of juveniles and foreign nationals deprived of their liberty. The delegation received, with a few exceptions, very good cooperation from both the Greek authorities and staff at the establishments visited. However, cooperation also entails that decisive action be taken to improve the situation in the light of the CPT’s recommendations. This has still not happened. The findings of the 2015 visit demonstrate clearly that the situation in prisons has become critical and that urgent action is required for their recovery starting with tackling the excessive overcrowding and chronic understaffing in most establishments. Further, the serious problem of police ill-treatment needs to be fully recognised and a mechanism put in place to effectively investigate ill-treatment allegations. Police custody In the course of the 2015 visit, the CPT’s delegation received a significant number of credible allegations of excessive use of force by police officers – particularly by the DELTA motorcycle police unit in Athens – during and after apprehension, some of which were supported by medical and other evidence. A full and effective inquiry into the methods used by DELTA motorcycle police officers when apprehending persons is recommended. It also appears that the infliction of illtreatment by police officers at the Security Departments particularly against foreign nationals, including for the purpose of obtaining confessions, continues to be a frequent practice – notably at Agios Panteleimonas Police Station in Athens and at Demokratias Police Station in Thessaloniki. The CPT also urges the Greek authorities to fully acknowledge the extent of the widespread and deep-rooted problem of police ill-treatment and calls for a comprehensive strategy and determined action to combat this phenomenon. Law enforcement officials should be continuously reminded, including from the highest political level and through appropriate training, that any form of illtreatment of detained persons – including physical and/or verbal abuse, racist behaviour and threats – constitutes a criminal offence and will be prosecuted accordingly. Recommendations are also made to monitor police interviews through audio and/or video recording and to promote appropriate methods of police investigation as well as to develop a culture change within the ranks of the Hellenic Police whereby it is regarded as unprofessional to resort to ill-treatment. Almost none of the detained persons met who alleged police ill-treatment had filed a complaint, citing inter alia fear of retribution or harsher sentences and lack of information. Further, the requirement of paying a fee to lodge an official complaint about ill-treatment should be changed. In those rare cases where a complaint was made or information on police ill-treatment otherwise emerged, the CPT’s findings from the 2015 visit once more indicate that the current system of investigations into allegations of ill-treatment is characterised by a number of systemic failings by the police and judicial authorities. Investigations often do not meet the basic requirements of effectiveness as defined by the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the relevant standards of the CPT.