8 Greek prison guards charged with torturing convict to death after fatal jail stabbing

THESSALONIKI, Greece – A Greek prosecutor has charged eight prison guards with torturing to death an Albanian convict accused of fatally stabbing a prison guard after being refused furlough to visit his critically ill mother.

The prosecutor in the central town of Amfissa issued arrest warrants Tuesday against all eight, who work in the northern Nigrita Prison.

Coroners found that Ilie Kareli, 42, 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. He was serving a 20-year sentence for attempted murder, robbery and drugs.