A fire broke out at the maximum-security Korydallos Prison in western Athens on Friday morning following tensions during an attempted transfer of a Turkish inmate who was reportedly due to be extradited to Turkey, authorities said.
The incident began shortly before 10 a.m. in Wing 5 of the prison, when officers from the police transfer unit arrived to take custody of the inmate and escort him to the airport, according to initial reports.
The Turkish national allegedly resisted the transfer, while fellow inmates, believed to be Turkish nationals, reportedly set fire to part of the prison wing in an apparent show of support.
A large police operation was launched at the facility, with special units, including riot police and motorcycle patrol teams, deployed to the area. Police vehicles were also stationed around the prison perimeter to prevent any further unrest.
Authorities were monitoring the situation as they investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident.
