844052
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- 2022, Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece
- Duration of detention
- 4 - 6 months
- Nationality
- Iran
- Age
- 51
- Gender
- Male
- LGBTQI
- No answer
- Type of arrest
- Individual
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Criminal charges
- Detained before?
- Yes, in a police station
- Was the respondent informed of the duration of detention?
- No
- Did the respondent experience any violence?
- Yes
- Type of violence experienced
- Physical violence
- Was the respondent forced to sign documents?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to translation?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
- Yes, limited
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to legal support?
- Private lawyer
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- Yes
- Appealed?
- Unknown
- Number detained in cell
- 10+
- Number detainees sharing WC
- Unknown
- Hygiene rating
- Very poor
- Type of cell
- Cell, shared
- Had access to phone?
- Yes, shared
- Had access to WiFi?
- Unknown
- Ventilation
- Unknown
- Participated in hunger strike / protest?
- Unknown
- Had conflicts with other detainees?
- Unknown
- Meal quality
- Low quality
- Meal quantity
- Unknown
- Had access to water?
- Unknown
- Had access to outdoor space?
- Less than 2h per day
- Had access to educational resources?
- Unknown
- Had access to religious space?
- Unknown
- Had access to electricity?
- Unknown
- Had access to bed?
- Unknown
- Had access to laundry?
- Unknown
- Had access to toilet articles?
- Unknown
- Had access to mattress?
- Unknown
- Narrative
The respondent is 51 years old and is from Iran. He was arrested in Athens due to having issues when renewing his refugee status that he was informed were due to alleged criminal charges. He was taken to a police station for four days, and despite expressing that he had a heart condition, he was transferred to Korydallos prison. The cells contained around 17 people, which were infested with mice and mosquitoes and in poor condition. The showers were cold and the respondent explained that he had skin problems as a result of the water. Despite asking several times for medical appointments, he received little treatment for his condition. The mental toll of being detained without understanding why was strongly expressed. The food quality was low and there were no recreational activities provided to detainees. There is restricted access to phone calls in the prison, and the respondent reported that when he was found with a mobile phone he was physically beaten. He paid over 1000 Euros to receive legal support with his case, and was released after five and a half months after being informed that he was not charged with anything.