Five anti-globalisation activists began taking food today after a two-month hunger strike to protest against their imprisonment brought them to near death.
Dr Thanassis Karabellas said the five - two Spaniards, a Syrian, a Briton and a Greek - were taking liquids under close medical supervision in hospital after they were released from prison due to deteriorating health conditions.
"To see the broad smiles on the faces of these people that look like skeletons was something else," Dr Karabellas said. "This, however, does not change the seriousness of their condition."
Doctors had earlier warned that the five could die within a week if they were not fed.
Greek authorities yesterday ordered the release of seven jailed anti-globalisation activists, including the five hunger strikers, after five months in prison, pending trial.
No date had yet been set for the trial but lawyers say it might start by January.
The seven, part of a group of 29 protestors arrested and charged in June, had been held since June on charges of possession of explosives and weapons during riots that broke out during an EU summit in Thessaloniki in northern Greece that turned violent. Most of the 29 have since been released.