The respondent is a 32 year-old man from Libya. The respondent stated that he was detained by Greek authorities on 26th July 2024, after voluntarily reporting to the Katerini police station.

The respondent stated that he spent 20 days at the Katerini police station. He was held in an underground cell that measured approximately 8 by 5 meters and was shared with up to 54 people. The respondent reported that the cell was very dirty and infested with insects, and had a small window with a ventilator that provided no natural light. There were reportedly no proper beds - only cement floors. The respondent said that he received 5.70 euro per day to buy food, clothing and hygiene products, but this amount was not enough to cover his needs and no basic hygiene items were provided by the authorities. The respondent reported that he had to use this money to purchase a 4 euro phone card in order to use the station’s phone line to make expensive international calls to his family, as the police reportedly did not let him keep his phone. He also used the station’s phone line to communicate with a man acting as a delivery intermediary. The latter received orders and delivered the items to the detainees but reportedly inflated the prices. The respondent explained that the police were unhelpful and dismissive when the detainees complained about the delivery system, and in general showed racist attitudes and a sense of superiority towards the detainees, telling them that they “are police officers” and “are not working for [the detainees]”. The respondent reported that he was allowed minimal contact with the outside world and was kept indoors throughout his stay in the Katerini police station as the only time he was allowed outdoors was during a medical visit.

The respondent reported that he was transferred to Paranesti Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PRDC) under false pretenses. He explained that the police officers had told him and another detainee that was about to be transferred with the respondent that they were heading to Thessaloniki where they would receive release papers, but were taken instead to Paranesti PRDC without prior notice. The interpreter who worked for the Katerini police station reportedly told the respondent that the police may take him “to the river” - a reference, as understood by the respondent, to the Evros river where people are reportedly beaten by Greek authorities before being forcefully pushed back to Turkey. The respondent shared that this practice is widely known among people on the move in Greece and reported that a family member of his had direct experience of beatings and forcible removal from Greece to Turkey.

The respondent reported that upon arrival at Paranesti, he and the other detainee were provided with basic necessities, including a mattress and towel. The camera on the respondent’s phone was reportedly removed by a technician on arrival at the detention centre, a practice which the respondent reported is systematic at Paranesti. He added that the phone cameras are replaced upon release of detainees. The container room the respondent was held in was initially overcrowded with 11 people, but later 5 were held there with the number fluctuating as people were released. The room was reportedly infested with bugs. The respondent reported that he was held with other detainees from various countries including Pakistan, Palestine, Syria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt. He noted that there were no women or minors at Paranesti. He further reported that approximately 500 or 600 people were held in the detention centre and that when new people arrive, some of the detainees are released. The food was reportedly of poor quality and served in insufficient quantities. The respondent explained that he received two meals a day along with juice and a croissant. He added that sometimes the food provided is expired or spoiled, and when the detainees don’t accept it the officers tell them that there are no alternatives.

The respondent reported that in Paranesti, there was a lack of adequate heating and a small portable heater was the only means of warmth. Hot water was reportedly provided only for one hour in the daytime and between one and a half and two hours at evening time and as a result the detainees could not have a shower whenever they wished. He stated that he was given documents to sign in Greek regarding his detention in Paranesti and translation was provided through an interpreter over Skype.

The respondent described how he received limited information or assistance from the authorities in Paranesti PRDC in regard to the asylum process. The respondent further reported that he was not able to access a lawyer or other external help.

The respondent reported that he had personally not experienced physical abuse but had witnessed the aftermath of beatings reportedly carried out by police officers. The respondent recounted instances of detainees being taken to “secret rooms” by police officers and then returning to their cells with visible injuries. The respondent reported a specific incident involving a detainee who reportedly returned to the room with a severe eye injury, filled with blood. The respondent added that such incidents were common and that other detainees had visible signs of abuse such as bruises or contusions, indicating that they had been beaten. The respondent stated that such incidents are common though not always witnessed first hand because the police act covertly.

The respondent further explained that many detainees, after spending prolonged periods at Paranesti detention centre, begin to suffer mental breakdowns. He noted that during such breakdowns, detainees may engage in extreme actions to cope, such as attempting self-harm. The respondent provided an example of a detainee who had recently cut a vein in his hand. The detainee was reportedly taken to the hospital for medical treatment but was later returned to the detention center. The respondent reported that following the detainee’s return, the police took action against other detainees who were believed to have been involved with the individual who had harmed himself. The respondent added that these detainees were subsequently beaten by the police.