back. They had left their motorcycles aside and came after me on foot. They brought me to a remote corner at the port. Two of them were holding me and took off my jacket and t-shirt. Then they handcuffed me, with metal cuffs. I was standing. One of them started beating me with a telescopic stun baton (electroshock). I heard the sound “ghss”. Another “commando” joined him. Then they pushed me on the ground, with my head on the ground. Then the four “commandos” beat me up all together. They kicked and punched me for about twenty minutes. When I was stunned, I felt a burning sensation and I felt dizzy. I could not walk anymore. The “commandos” lifted me up and dragged me to the port exit. The police came and called an ambulance. In the hospital I was on the drip and got an X-ray. I stayed one week at Rio’s Hospital. I had two cracked ribs and my left arm was broken. My body was black and blue from the beatings. I could not sleep for two weeks. Even today I feel pain at night. Now I’m afraid to go back in the port. I haven’t gone back ever since.” 4.29. M. (15), from Afghanistan 74 “It’s been ten months since I arrived in Greece and six months since I moved to Patras. I stay with some friends who take care of me. Today the police came at six o’ clock in the morning, in the place where we sleep. We were sleeping, but we heard them coming, so I ran away and hid in a place nearby. My three friends were still sleeping. I saw the police handcuffing my friends while they were still lying on the ground. Then they started beating them. Afterwards, they asked them if they had any documents. They dragged them to the basement, where two other officers were waiting and pushed them in the “dolmush”. They were “deported” to Athens, because they were adults and had no papers. Now I’m alone here.” 48 4.30. A.R. (17), from Afghanistan 75 I’ve been in Patras for the last four months. I’m here because I want to leave Greece and go to Italy. It’s been one year since I arrived in Greece and I only have the deportation order. I have never received any support in Greece. The worst things about Patras for me are the “commandos” beating us, and the fact that I’m stuck here. I cannot think anymore. I’m afraid of the police. When the “commandos” and the police see me in the street, it’s like they see their worst enemy. I feel like a ghost! Can I ask you a question? Why are people in the streets afraid and cross the sidewalk when they see me? I don’t think they are racists, but I’m wondering why they’re doing this! I was inside the port, behind the rocks. It was about a month ago, around 8:30 in the afternoon. We were two persons hiding. The “commandos” came. They were wearing full-face masks, so that we could not recognize them. They were shining their flashlights directly into our eyes. My friends managed to escape, swimming. Both “commandos” started beating me with their batons and I felt an electroshock. Then they threw me into the sea. I cannot swim. I tried to get out of the water, but when I reached the rocks they would beat me with their batons and throw me back into the water. When I finally managed to come out of the water, I could not feel my arms and legs. They were insulting me a lot like: ‘gamisou… malaka… fyge malaka’ (fuck you… asshole… go away asshole). There was nobody else around. They would not have beaten me that much, if others had been watching.�� 74 Interview held on May 12, 2012 in Patras 75 Interview held on May 13, 2012 in Patras 76 Interview held on May 13, 2012 in Patras I was outside the new port, by the sea. This happened a month and a half ago, around 10pm. There were three of us hiding behind the rocks. 76 It was raining a lot and then two “commandos” wearing full-masks were shining their flash“I’ve been here in Patras for eight months now. lights in our eyes. They pulled me out from the I could never apply for asylum in Greece, so I place where I was hiding and beat me with an only have the deportation order. Greece is not electric baton. I started screaming. There were a good country for us. Specifically Patras is a two truck drivers next to us watching the whovery bad place. The worst moments for me are le scene. That’s why the “commandos” brought the ones when the police come and insult my me to a more isolated place near the sea. Then family. I want to leave here as soon as possib- they pushed me into the water, shouting: le. Really. I’m just here because I want to leave ‘Fyge! Fyge!’ (Go away!). I was feeling helpless. Greece. We are not treated like other people I was wet and freezing. They let me go. I came living here. Every time we go to the shops, be- back to my shelter. I could not feel my arms for two hours. I was in pain for three more days. cause we are starving, people kick us out. (…) I’m glad they “just” beat me. Others come back with broken arms and legs. Every time I go to the port, I don’t know whether I’ll still have my arms and legs when I come back.” 4.31. S.A. (17), from Afghanistan “The police were hunting me with motorbikes along the rails. I tried to escape the beatings and fell!” “I lifted my hand to protect my head from the beatings of the “commando”.” 49