- 39 In particular, detained persons claimed that once the disturbance was brought under control, they had been made to stand in the corridor outside their dormitories while riot police officers had proceeded to hit them with batons and chains. The beatings continued until they were corralled into the yard in front of the building, where they were apparently made to remain all night and most of the following day. After the detainees had been sent back to their dormitories, police officers allegedly went from room to room inflicting blows with batons in an indiscriminate manner. The CPT has learned that 25 detainees had been transferred for treatment for broken limbs and concussion to Komotini hospital on 23 November 2012. Further, some persons who alleged that they had been injured claimed that they were not seen by a doctor in the following days despite making requests.39 The incident report, to which the CPT’s delegation was granted access, indicates that prohibited items had been found during the search and that criminal charges were brought against the instigators of the unrest. However, it appears that no investigations into allegations of illtreatment by police officers have been initiated. 66. The CPT is aware that the task of intervention units is often difficult and dangerous and that the use of force against detainees might be necessary when performing that task. Any force used during the intervention must nevertheless be limited to what is strictly necessary. In addition, as soon as recalcitrant detainees have been brought under control, there can be no justification for them being struck. It goes without saying that after an intervention where use of force has been deployed, persons in need of medical treatment must be seen promptly by a doctor. Moreover, where allegations of ill-treatment are made, there should always be a prompt and thorough investigation into the veracity of these allegations. The CPT also considers that interventions in immigration detention centres should take place in the presence of an authority which is fully independent of both the security forces concerned and the detention facility, and charged with observing and subsequently reporting upon the way in which the intervention was carried out. The presence of such an authority would have a dissuasive effect on anyone minded to ill-treat prisoners and greatly facilitate the investigation of any allegations of ill-treatment and the correct attribution of blame. The CPT would like to be informed whether any action was taken to investigate allegations of physical ill-treatment by police officers in the context of the disturbance at Komotini pre-departure centre on 23 November 2012. Further, the CPT recommends that all future interventions by external units meet the requirements set out in this paragraph, including independent monitoring. 39 This was the case, for example, for several detainees met in Metaxades Police Station at the time of the visit, who claimed that they had been repeatedly struck with batons during the incident.