Greek Police release photograph of HIV positive sex worker to the press

A few days ago, Greek police arrested a sex worker who was found to be HIV positive during a rapid test at an Athens brothel. The police have now published her name and her picture "in order to inform customers" about her HIV status. Three subsequent women have all tested positive, none of whom have been publicly named.

The 22-year-old woman from Russia is in custody and is being prosecuted for ”intended serious physical harm,” among other charges. In a statement, the Greek  Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) is urging former clients to undergo an AIDS test.

According to the Greek Reporter, the 22-year-old woman appears to have known her medical condition and "police are now investigating whether she deliberately infected her customers", which conveys all you need to know about the tone of the most reports online.

The public exposure of the woman's name, address, and immigration status has been strongly criticized, with supporters pointing out that doctor confidentiality doesn’t allow such information to be released.

The Greek Health Minister stated that KEELPNO will continue its searches and announced that “there will be no brothel unchecked during the next days.”

This is a heavily amended version of stories that originally appeared on the Greek Reporter website on the 29th and 30th of April 2012. Find them here and here.