- 32 Consequently, the CPT recommends that the Greek authorities take the necessary steps to ensure that persons detained by the police are able to talk to a lawyer in private. Further, an investigation into the secret monitoring carried out by the Homicide and Kidnapping Unit should be conducted. The Committee would also like to receive confirmation that the audiovisual equipment has been removed from the “lawyers’ consultation room” on the 11th floor of Alexander Street Police Headquarters in Athens. 49. As was the case during previous visits, the right of access to a doctor remains ineffective in practice for most persons deprived of their liberty by the police, with whom the CPT’s delegation met. Only in the case of a medical emergency was a detained person transferred to the closest hospital, subject to transport arrangements. Several detained persons – notably those who alleged ill-treatment by the police – claimed that they did not receive the necessary medical treatment while in police custody (see paragraph 19). For example, a remand prisoner interviewed in Korydallos Men’s Judicial Prison alleged that he had been ill-treated during his apprehension and transfer to a police station. He claimed that, after having been transferred to another police station, he was visibly in a serious medical condition, vomiting and shaking. It took three days during which he presented the same symptoms for him to be taken to a hospital for a first examination.35 This is not acceptable. Requests to see a doctor must be promptly met; law enforcement officials should not seek to filter such requests. In addition, the majority of detained persons who claimed that they had health issues highlighted that they did not receive the medication which they required (other than paracetamol). As a rule, medication should be provided free of charge to detained persons who do not have the necessary means to pay for it themselves. The CPT again calls on the Greek authorities to ensure that the above-mentioned requirements as regards access to a doctor are met in practice. 50. The Committee is also concerned as regards the respect of medical confidentiality for persons detained by the police. The CPT’s delegation received a number of allegations indicating that police officers were present during all external examinations in public hospitals. It therefore seems necessary to reiterate the CPT’s long-standing position that all medical examinations of persons in police custody should be conducted out of the hearing and, unless the doctor concerned requests otherwise in a specific case, out of the sight of police officers. Further, under no circumstances should a copy of the medical report be given to the law enforcement officials accompanying the detained person as frequently happened, according to reports received by the delegation. When visiting Monasteriou General Police Headquarters in Thessaloniki, the delegation found that medical records and prescriptions were kept by police officers who were also regularly distributing medication to detained persons. This is not an acceptable state of affairs. 35 His entry in the trauma register of the prison mentions that he had “open wounds on both knees inflicted by police officers”. When examined by the delegation’s forensic medical doctor, he displayed several scars on the anterior aspect of the left knee and left lower leg, ranging from 1.5x1cm to 3.5x2cm in diameter, and another scar on the anterior aspect of the right knee measuring 0.5x1cm, which were consistent with his allegations.