593093
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- Thessaloniki, Northern Greece, October 2025
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece
- Duration of detention
- 2 - 4 months
- Nationality
- Egypt
- Age
- 35
- Gender
- Male
- Type of arrest
- Mass/sweep
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Illegal entry
- Detained before?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to translation?
- Yes
- Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
- Yes, but insufficient
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to legal support?
- No
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- No
- Type of cell
- Isobox/container, shared
- Had access to phone?
- Yes, own
- Meal quality
- Low quality
- Meal quantity
- Not sufficient
- Had access to bed?
- Sleeping on the ground
- Had access to toilet articles?
- Provided, limited
- Had access to mattress?
- Sleeping on the ground
- Narrative
The respondent is a 35 year-old Egyptian national who arrived in Greece at the end of July 2025 and was subjected to the suspension of asylum applications. He reported having to provide his fingerprints and personal information upon arrival in Amygdaleza. After being detained for three months he was reportedly required to sign a document extending his detention for an additional 50 days but did not recall signing papers prior to this. The respondent explained that he chose not to apply for asylum because he feared this may lead to him being deported. He did not receive legal assistance or support from NGOs while detained. Treatment by police in the PRDC was described as inhumane. The respondent reported that he did not receive adequate winter clothing and blankets were only provided on request by other detainees and had to be shared. “Four people are sharing one big blanket at night”. The respondent received a toothbrush but no other hygiene products. Some detainees reportedly had to sleep on the floor of accommodation containers due to lack of sufficient beds. He reported the presence of bugs and insects inside containers. The food provided in Amygdaleza was described as very low in quantity and quality. “We feel like we’re not in an EU country, we feel like we’re still in Libya”. The respondent reported extremely limited access to healthcare in the PRDC including not being able to access treatment for diabetes. The respondent reported that his requests to police were generally ignored. He reported witnessing one incident of violence against five detainees who had gone on hunger strike. “They [the police] act very violent and inhumane, that’s what happened to these five people. They were kicked in the leg, fell down, they tied their hands together [...] and then held by the neck and brought outside".