168149
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- 2022, Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece 2
- Duration of detention
- Less than 1 month
- Nationality
- Turkey
- Age
- 22
- Gender
- Male
- LGBTQI
- No answer
- Type of arrest
- Individual
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Unknown to respondent
- Detained before?
- Yes
- Was the respondent informed of the duration of detention?
- Yes, in a PRDC
- Did the respondent experience any violence?
- Yes
- Type of violence experienced
- Verbal insult
- Was the respondent forced to sign documents?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent have access to translation?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
- Yes, limited
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- Yes
- Did the respondent have access to legal support?
- Private lawyer
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- Yes
- Appealed?
- Unknown
- Number detained in cell
- Unknown
- Number detainees sharing WC
- Unknown
- Hygiene rating
- Very poor
- Type of cell
- Unknown
- Had access to phone?
- Yes, own
- Had access to WiFi?
- Dysfunctional
- Ventilation
- Unknown
- Participated in hunger strike / protest?
- No
- Had conflicts with other detainees?
- Unknown
- Meal quality
- Very poor
- Meal quantity
- 2 per day, in PRDC
- Had access to water?
- Yes
- Had access to outdoor space?
- Yes
- Had access to educational resources?
- Unknown
- Had access to religious space?
- Unknown
- Had access to electricity?
- Unknown
- Had access to bed?
- Yes
- Had access to laundry?
- Unknown
- Had access to toilet articles?
- Unknown
- Had access to mattress?
- Yes
- Narrative
The respondent is 22 years old and is from Turkey. He was arrested near Vyssa when he was hit by the police who reportedly wore civil clothing, before being taken to Isaakio police station where he asked for asylum. His phone and belongings were taken away from him and he was held in a cell for several hours without food or water. Then he was transferred to Fylakio RIC where he was held for two weeks. Food was provided 2-3 times a day but it was cold and poor quality. There were beds and bathrooms in Fylakio, however they were dirty. The respondent reported that everyone in the centre was scared of being pushed back to Turkey so did not complain about the conditions, despite feeling that they were being treated less than human. He reported that there were at least 200 other people being held there. There was limited access to outdoor space and medical care. The police in Fylakio were rude but did not physically abuse him. With the support of a private lawyer, he was released.