news.173 Tensions, in turn, which as they become noticed by some segments of society at both local and national levels, contribute to the further legitimization of intolerant, racist and xenophobic views, in turn once more devastatingly impacting asylum seekers’ prospects of integration. It is to be noted that at the time of publication (24 May 2018), and perhaps largely as the situation could not have been disregarded any longer –not least following the death of a 17 year old Afghan refugee on the 4th of May174– on the 15th of May a large operation was conducted at the city’s derelict factories. The operation, which had been planned for more than a month with the aim of transferring the people to “suitable hosting facilities”, as per the Minister of Migration Policy,175 was reportedly carried out by no less than 450 police officers and led to the peaceful evacuation of the factories’ more than 600 inhabitants, amongst whom many minors (103).176 On the very same day, GCR was informed of their transfer at the Pre-Removal detention Center of Korinthos (found at close proximity to Patra),177 with further information claiming the subsequent transfer of most of the minors to a “safe zone” in the Pre-Removal detention Center of Amygdaleza (Athens). It seems that in their cases –as in so many others’– “suitability” meant submitting them to, at least, an initial period of detention. Despite this, not a week later (22 May 2018), some of the factories’ former inhabitants and aspiring new ones have been reportedly returning to Patra,178 highlighting once more the futility of what in principle could have been a welcome action, when people in search of a (better) life are left with no alternatives other than those of further risking their lives to reach their destination. This is why, –notwithstanding the necessity to monitor the situation for upcoming developments– this belated transfer changes little, when considered in the context of the overall, Greek-wide situation for refugees and asylum seekers, and ultimately why –if a writer’s comment is allowed– despite recent developments, the decision taken was to not remove, re-edit or otherwise change this chapter. Because as long as deterrence, confinement and victimization form the rule of the day, when it comes to the treatment of asylum seekers, the conditions described will always be relevant; there will always be another Patra. 153 In the context of another of GCR’s projects, a follow-up visit was also conducted on the 30th of March 2018. 154 During the crisis of 2015 and up to the first months of 2016 when intra-European borders were still open for refugees, Idomeni functioned as the entry point to the so-called “Balkan Route”, providing for a relatively safe(r) passage for those wishing to reach (primarily) Germany from Greece. During that time, attempts at (irregularly) exiting Greece via the port of Patra were virtually non-existent, with Patra’s derelict factories (see further bellow), which have today transformed into de facto makeshift camps for refugees, asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants, at the time housed a single man. Information acquired during interview with MdM in Patra, on 29 November 2017. 155 To be noted, some initiatives to address the matter have been undertaken by inter alia the local Municipality, which has supplied one of the factories (Ladopoulos) with showers and has been assisting in maintaining a rudimentary cleanliness to the place. Yet, no matter how important, local initiatives cannot make up for the lack of central planning and intervention. See Sto kokkino, ‘Πάτρα: Επιχείρηση καθαριότητας από το Δήμο στου Λαδόπουλου όπου διαμένουν πρόσφυγες’ [Patra: Cleaning operation by the Municipality at Ladopoulos, where refugees reside], sto kokkino, 28 July 2017, 50