GREECE IRREGULAR MIGRANTS AND ASYLUM-SEEKERS ROUTINELY DETAINED IN SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS 11 2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This report is based on a combination of field visits as well as detailed desk research. Amnesty International delegates visited the immigration detention centre on the island of Samos in June 2009 and the Mersinidiou detention centre on the island of Chios in September and December 2009. Delegates also visited the police station on the island of Patmos and the borderguard stations of Isaaki, Soufli, Ferres, Tychero, Metaxades and Neo Himonio in Evros in June 2009. Amnesty International also visited the detention area of Athens airport police station in October 2009 and May 2010.25 During those visits, Amnesty International conducted interviews with irregular migrants and asylum-seekers detained there. The organization also interviewed irregular migrants and asylum-seekers who were, or had been, detained at the Attika Aliens’ Police Directorate and Thessaloniki Aliens’ Police Directorate holding facilities for irregular migrants, at various police stations in Athens and at Venna and Fylakio immigration detention centres. In addition, its delegates conducted interviews with officials of the Prefecture and local authorities, prosecutors, coastguard and police authorities, and staff of the detention areas visited. Amnesty International has also received reports and conducted personal and phone interviews with lawyers and groups for the protection of migrants and refugees, the UNHCR Office in Greece, the GCR, the Ecumenical Refugee Programme (ECRP) and the Hellenic Action for Human Rights. Statistics and information were also requested and received from the Ministry of Citizens’ Protection. Index: EUR 25/002/2010 Amnesty International July 2010