Isotita trade union alleges retaliation against union official at central prisons

The Isotita trade union has demanded the termination of disciplinary proceedings against Georgios Maltezos, the vice-president and press officer of its correctional officer branch. The union alleges that these proceedings are retaliatory following Maltezos's public criticism regarding prison overcrowding, drug trafficking, and staffing shortages. On May 28, 2026, the union filed complaints with the Attorney General, the Chief of Police, the Anti-Corruption Authority, and the Minister of Labor, naming Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris and Acting Prison Director Maria Siali. The union asserts that these actions violate constitutional rights and international labor conventions, a position they claim is supported by the Department of Labor Relations. Conversely, the Ministry of Justice maintains that it is committed to legality, accountability, and the independence of established procedures. The union further stated that Maltezos was transferred to a position under the supervision of a competing organization, a move they characterize as an attempt to silence his independent voice. Despite requests for his return to his previous shift, management has declined, prompting the current escalation.