E/CN.4/1991/56 page 91 62. In a communication of 20 September 1990 addressed to the Government of Greece, the following information was transmitted by the Special Rapporteur: "It has been reported that members of the Greek Muslim minority of Turkish ethnic origin in Western Thrace were prevented from entering the main mosque in Komotini for prayer service on 29 January 1990. It has also been reported that the same community is being denied the right to elect freely its religious leaders and to repair any religious site without the authorization of the Greek authorities. With regard to the members of the Jehovah's Witness faith, cases of imprisonment for refusing conscription were reported as follows: 1. Daniel Kokkalis, aged 30, was sentenced to four years of imprisonment in July 1989 and his appeal was rejected on 31 October 1989. He is detained at Kassandra Agricultural Prison. He has lodged an appeal with the Council of State which reportedly will be examined on 25 September 1990. 2. Dimitrios Tsirlis, aged 26, was sentenced to four years of imprisonment on 30 April 1990 and has filed an appeal. He is detained in Avlona Prison. 3. Timothy Kouloubas, aged 26, was sentenced to four years of imprisonment on 30 May 1990 and has filed an appeal. He is detained in Avlona Prison. According to the information received, Greek Law No. 1763/1988 stipulates in Article 6 that "recruits who are religious ministers of a known religion are exempted from the obligation to perform military service, if they so desire." It was reported that Mr. Kokkalis, Mr. Tsirlis and Mr. Kouloubas are religious ministers." 63. On 26 November 1990, the Government of Greece sent its comments to the Special Rapporteur regarding the above-mentioned information: "A. With regard to allegations that persons belonging to the Muslim minority of Western Thrace were prevented from entering the central Mosque in Komotini for prayer service on 29 January 1990, we would like to inform as follows: A demonstration of extremist elements of the aforesaid minority, in progress at the premises of the "Muslim Youth of Komotini" situated very close to the Central Mosque of the town, became increasingly vociferous. Christian elements gathered in the area and the adjacent streets; and the danger for clashes started running high. The police intervened and put up a "buffer zone" between the groups. No doubt that as a result there was obstruction to the free movement of all persons in the area, consequently hindrance to accede to the Mosque.