The respondent is an Egyptian national who reported arriving in Crete in August 2025 and was subjected to the unlawful suspension of asylum applications, implemented by the Greek government between July-October 2025 for all third country nationals arriving from North Africa. He was automatically detained on arrival to Greece, without access to the asylum procedure or information on his rights, and remained in detention after the ban was lifted. Based on the description and photographs shared with the respondent, the detention facility in which he was held for 16 days was identified as the Hellenic Coast Guard security building in Heraklion. He reported that the people detained in the facility amounted to approximately 150. The respondent described the treatment and the conditions in the facility as “very harsh”, including limited supply of water, unsanitary conditions in the toilets and no access to showers. As he detailed: “We did not shower for the whole period, there was only one tap for water and it was limited [...]. The toilet was very dirty. [...] There was just toilet paper, no water.” He added that they had to ask permission to use the toilets and that one officer would be standing by the door while in use. Reportedly, this was the only way to access outdoor spaces since the toilets were placed in the courtyard, but otherwise no access to open spaces was provided. The respondent described the food as “okay” and reported that only blankets but no mattresses or beds were supplied. He explained that only families were hosted in a separate area, while everyone else - including unaccompanied minors - would share the same space: “From 10 year-old of age, until old age, [we were] all mixed. Unaccompanied minors were mixed with the rest of the adults. [...] There weren't any NGOs coming specifically asking for minors, it was the same treatment for all of us, all ages.” The respondent reported that a doctor and two nurses were visiting the facility for medical check-ups, but he also disclosed that he was denied proper medical treatment for his existing chronic health condition and was only offered first aid care. Reportedly, no interpretation services were available. As he explained: “There wasn't anybody, no translator at all. There was just one person from our own group who spoke English, he was the one translating with the doctor and the authorities.” Reportedly, everyone’s phone, along with the passcode to unlock it and all other belongings, was taken by the authorities and given back four days after their transfer to the Special Detention Facility of Serres, in Sintiki. He also reported not receiving any official documentation, only a serial number to use for food collection and to see the doctor.

The respondent reported being transferred to Sintiki in August 2025, being photographed by the authorities and receiving blankets. Reportedly, 2 days after his arrival his fingerprints were taken. The respondent described the hygienic conditions in the facility as very unsanitary with an impact on his mental and physical health: “I am also mentally and psychologically affected, because of the bad smell of the space. The space where I stay is not cleaned. [...] We do clean ourselves. We don't get items for cleaning the space, we use mostly water, we don’t get soap or stuff to clean with.” He reported not receiving any items for personal hygiene such as soap or toothpaste, and sharing his container with 9 people, each of whom had access to a bed. The respondent disclosed details about a concerning healthcare situation due to an existing chronic medical condition he suffered before leaving Egypt, which was aggravated by the unsanitary conditions of the facility as well as the insufficient medical attention received. As he further explained: “I have made my paper from Egypt proving my condition [...]. The paper states that I am not supposed to be in smoky, crowded or dusty places. [...] They took me to the hospital once in Sintiki, I fell down, I fainted and I lost control. [...] I met a general doctor who first checked my heart rate and gave me medicine [...]. Every time I go back to the facility, my medicine runs out. I go back to the hospital [...] they said no medicine was available [...] I think I should have seen a specialist.” Additionally, he detailed the multiple factors that exacerbate his health condition: “The main reason is that my medicine has changed [between Egypt and the one received in Sintiki]. Once I asked to get the same medicine as in Egypt, they told me ‘we cannot provide you with the same, we don't have it’. The second factor is that people smoke inside, I find it as something that worsens my condition.” As he concluded towards the end of the interview, this, coupled with the general detention conditions, has also had a significant impact on his mental health and wellbeing more generally. In his words: “Since we arrived here our situation is getting worse, including psychologically, because we don't know what is going on with the rules, everyday things change, some people get released. It is very stressful.”