In the past, the CPT had been particularly critical about the squalid conditions of detention observed at Drapetsona Police Station. The Committee takes note that one of the two detention areas had been closed for renovation since July 2023. However, at the time of the visit, only the plumbing system had been repaired. 56. The conditions of detention observed in the second operational detention area were appalling. The seven cells, which had a total capacity of 24 places, were each equipped with two large concrete plinths. The cells were filthy, with dirty foam mattresses and blankets. The cells had hardly any access to natural light and the artificial lighting was insufficient for reading. The four sanitary annexes of the larger cells were out of use and only two toilets and two showers were functioning. They were in a dilapidated state of repair and unhygienic. Persons complained about the poor conditions of detention and the lack of heating, hot water and sanitary items. Further, they had not been granted access to outdoor exercise. As shown by the registers, foreign nationals could be detained in these squalid conditions for up to five months. 57. By communication of 19 January 2024, the Greek authorities informed the CPT that the renovation works of the detention area which had been closed will only be carried out during the “next financial year”. However, the septic tank of the operating area had been unblocked, and the broken toilets had been repaired. From the information provided, the Committee has serious doubts that the facility will be suitable for holding persons for longer than 24 hours even after the refurbishment, as structural improvements such as improved access to natural light or to outdoor exercise are not foreseen. Consequently, the CPT reiterates its recommendation that the Greek authorities take Drapetsona Police Station out of service. 58. At Omonia Police Station, the three cells in the detention area on the first floor had been painted recently and were clean. The toilets and showers were working and were in acceptable conditions. However, detained persons still did not have access to sufficient natural light or to outdoor exercise. At the time of the visit, two foreign nationals were detained there, including one for eleven days. 59. In light of the above, the CPT once again calls upon the Greek authorities to ensure that: - each detained person is provided with a mattress, a blanket, and bedding – all clean – and a means of rest, such as a plinth or a bed; all cells are maintained in a decent state of repair and cleanliness; all cells offer sufficient access to natural light and adequate artificial lighting, which requires structural changes in several of the police establishments visited; all cells offer heating in winter; all sanitary facilities are kept in an adequate state of repair and hygiene; all persons held for longer than 24 hours are provided with a basic sanitary kit, free of charge, and access to hot water for the purpose of washing; all persons detained for periods exceeding 24 hours are offered access to outdoor exercise every day, which requires structural changes in several of the police establishments visited. c. conditions of detention in Athens Airport Special holding facility 60. The delegation carried out a follow-up visit to Athens Airport Special holding facility.17 The layout and structure of the facility had not changed since the Committee’s 2016 visit and consisted of two areas: one section composed of nine 8 m2 cells, each equipped with two or three plinths for a capacity of 15 places and two separate sanitary annexes, for foreign nationals held under criminal charges; and a second section which contained (a) a temporary holding area for inadmissible persons, with several dormitories equipped with bunk beds and two sanitary annexes, for a capacity of 40 places, (b) a room for applicants for international protection under the border and accelerated asylum procedure, with a capacity of 10 places and one sanitary annexe, and (c) a “special room for the care of infants”. 17. See the CPT report on the 2016 visit (CPT/Inf (2017) 25), paragraph 59. 18