Hunger Striker Nikos Romanos is on the 30th day of his hunger strike while Greek Parliament is rushing to vote on Justice Minister Haralambos Athanassiou’s amendment that would allow the inmate to wear an electronic bracelet to attend classes at a technical institution. Prior to this, the government had given him the option of correspondence learning, but the prisoner declined, insisting that he wants to attend classes in person.

Main opposition Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) asked for the voting process to be made in a roll-call vote. They also pointed out that the amendment doesn’t specify if the measure will be implemented in the case of the 21-year-old hunger striker who was imprisoned for armed robbery.

At the moment the legal framework for the electronic braselet doesn’t cover those who have been imprisoned for: (1) treason; (2) participation in a terrorist group; (3) participation in a criminal organization; (4) homicide; (5) for sexual offenses (statutory rape, etc.); (6) illicit drug trading. This legal framework would leave Mr. Romanos in the cold as he has been accused for participation in a terrorist organization.

Further amendments to rules for the electronic bracelets, modifications to the penal code and an amendment to the presidential decree on the institution of electronic surveillance for convicts on leave.

Six main opposition radical SYRIZA MPs and one from the Democratic Left (DIMAR) party tabled a rider in Parliament on Tuesday proposing that educational furloughs should be granted to all inmates regardless of their crime. They state: “The decision denying an educational furlough should be justified specifically and in detail based on real facts that should be clearly stated, proving safely and beyond any doubt that if an educational furlough is granted, this will hurt or put a higher inalienable right at risk.”

In a bid to increase pressure on the government, the hunger striker has threatened to stop drinking water as of today.