Panos Routsis: ‘No Immediate Threat to Life’ – State General Hospital of Nikea’s Statement on Hunger Striker

The administration of the State General Hospital of Nikea issued a statement on Friday afternoon (3.10.25) regarding the health condition of hunger striker Panos Routsis, who underwent medical examinations at the hospital today. According to the hospital’s announcement, the tests conducted on Panos Routsis revealed no immediate threat to his life. After completing the examinations and upon his own request, Routsis left the hospital’s Emergency Department. This follows an earlier statement from his doctors indicating that his health is deteriorating. The hospital’s official statement reads: “During the on-call shift on October 3, 2025, Mr. Panos Routsis came to the Emergency Department of the General Hospital of Nikea with symptoms of general weakness. He underwent clinical, cardiological, and internal medicine evaluations, as well as laboratory tests. Medical assessment did not reveal any immediate threat to his life. Upon completion of the procedures and according to his own wish, he left the Emergency Department.” Earlier, his attending physicians released a detailed update: “Mr. Panos Routsis, 48, has been on a hunger strike since September 15, 2025 (19th day). Monitored daily by a team of supportive doctors, he has a personal medical history including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, peripheral vascular disease, dyslipidemia, sleep apnea, and gastritis. Today, he was examined at the Emergency Department of Nikea General Hospital. In recent days, he has shown severe fatigue, drowsiness, borderline and recurring hypoglycemic episodes, and leg edema. Objective examination continues to show mild lower limb edema, orthostatic hypotension, and tachycardia upon standing. Cardiological evaluation did not detect acute pathology. He has lost 10 kg overall, amounting to 8.9% of his initial body weight. Blood tests show low serum urea and low alkaline phosphatase levels, consistent with prolonged fasting. Now on his 19th day of hunger strike, Mr. Routsis remains at increased risk for serious complications. His pre-existing health conditions, combined with remaining in an open-air environment, further compound the risks. Given that his request for the exhumation, identification, and biochemical-toxicological testing of his son’s body is fully legal and constitutionally protected, we urge the Government, judicial authorities, and all responsible parties to promptly satisfy his request. Mr. Routsis states he will not end his fast until his demand is met and refuses hospitalization. We appeal for full compliance with his requests. On behalf of the medical team monitoring Mr. Routsis: Dr. Olga Kosmopoulou (Internal Medicine/Infectious Diseases), Dr. Maria Karabeli (Internal Medicine/Emergency), Dr. Dimitris Ziazias (Internal Medicine), Dr. Chrysa Botsi (Pulmonologist), Dr. Anna Karageorgiou (General Practitioner in Emergency Training), Dr. Lina Diamantopoulou (Internal Medicine Resident), Dr. Agapi Eliaki (Internal Medicine Resident), Dr. Konstantina Mazi (Internal Medicine Resident).”