Three prison guards arrested over inmate's death

Three prison guards were arrested Tuesday in connection with the death of an Albanian convict at Nigrita Prison, in Serres, northern Greece. More arrests were expected.

Earlier Tuesday, a prosecutor in Amfissa, central Greece, charged eight prison guards, all working at the same jail, with torturing to death 42-year-old Ilie Kareli accused of fatally stabbing a prison guard after being refused furlough to visit his critically ill mother.

Coroners found that Kareli died last week after a severe beating. They also noted signs he had been beaten on the soles of his feet — a form of torture that causes painful swelling — and electrocuted.

The Justice Ministry says Kareli was taken “for his own safety” to Nigrita, two days after the fatal stabbing in Malandrino Prison, central Greece.

Kareli was serving a 20-year sentence for attempted murder, robbery and drugs. [Combined reports]