STEP STEP STEP 01 02 03 MANDATORY QUARANTINE IDENTIFICATION PRISON-LIKE STRUCTURE STEP 04 STEP 05 AFTER A NEGATIVE DECISION PRE-REMOVAL DETENTION 3.4 Looking forward: the Samos CCAC Pre-Removal Detention Centre There are currently seven PRDCs operating in Greece. An additional PRDC has been constructed in the complex of the Samos CCAC but is not yet operational. When opened, it will be run by the Hellenic Police and used to detain persons who have been issued with a return order.[156] This is of concern as on the islands, the Hellenic Police systematically issues deportation decisions to asylum seekers upon arrival,[157] contrary to the EU asylum acquis and in unlawful derogation from the Return Directive. Like other PRDCs in Greece, people will be liable to be held in the Samos PRDC for up to 18 months or until such a time that they are returned to their country of origin or released.[158] Depriving individuals of their liberty, especially considering the decline in formal deportations from Greece since 2018, raises concerns regarding the reasonable prospect of removal and proportionality of detention, and placing the practice in variance with well-established EU standards, under which detention shall cease immediately where there is no reasonable prospect of removal.[159] The Greek authorities have been repeatedly criticised for unlawfully detaining third country nationals in PRDCs, likely constituting a systematic violation of Article 5 ECHR.[160] Of particular concern is the authorities’ over use of public order and risk of absconding grounds. For example, research by the Thessaloniki-based NGO, Mobile Info Team, indicates that despite EU and Greek law designating that asylum seekers cannot be detained for the sole reason ___ [156] Pursuant to Greek Law 4825/2021, Article 21. [157] Equal Rights Beyond Borders, HIAS Greece and Refugee Support Aegean. 2022. The State or Border Procedures on the Greek Islands. Available here. [158] Greek Law 3907/11, Article 30. [159] Directive 2008/115/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on common standards and procedures in Member States for returning illegally staying third-country nationals. Article 15(4). [160]The Greek Council for Refugees. 2022. Grounds for Detention. Available here; Equal Rights Beyond Borders, HIAS Greece and Refugee Support Aegean. 2022. The State or Border Procedures on the Greek Islands. Available here. Page 47