505532
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- 2025
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece
- Duration of detention
- 2 - 4 months
- Gender
- Male
- Type of arrest
- Individual
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Unknown to respondent
- Detained before?
- No
- Was the respondent informed of the duration of detention?
- Yes, in a PRDC
- Did the respondent experience any violence?
- Unknown
- Was the respondent forced to sign documents?
- Yes, in Greek
- Did the respondent have access to translation?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
- Yes, but insufficient
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- Unknown
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- Yes
- Appealed?
- Yes
- Number detained in cell
- 10
- Hygiene rating
- Very poor
- Type of cell
- Cell, shared
- Had access to phone?
- Yes, own
- Had access to WiFi?
- Unknown
- Ventilation
- Dysfunctional
- Meal quality
- Very poor
- Had access to outdoor space?
- Yes, limited space
- Had access to electricity?
- Limited
- Had access to bed?
- Yes
- Link to external source
- Detailed testimony available on the BVMN database
- Narrative
The respondent reported arriving in Greece at the end of 2025. He was reportedly detained for two weeks in a police station before being transferred to the Pre-Removal Detention Centre in Corinth. Upon arrival, the respondent was reportedly asked to sign documents without explanations nor interpretation. He reported being informed that his detention could amount to around 18 months. He explained that interpretation was only provided when he registered his asylum application, and that legal support was generally limited during his detention. The respondent reported very poor conditions in the PRDC. The facility was described as an old three-floor building with regular electricity cuts and a dysfunctional heating system. The respondent described sharing his cell with nine other people, and being allowed in a small yard for six hours a day. Hygiene conditions in Corinth were described as very poor, with 10 individuals sharing one dirty bathroom, no running hot water and detainees having to clean the space themselves with products provided by the facility’s authorities upon request. Non-food items, including clothes and hygiene products were reportedly not distributed in the PRDC. The respondent explained that because of the excruciating smell, police officers were wearing masks to enter the facility. He reported that a market was regularly visiting the facility, and described being able to access items ordered online after meticulous examination by the facility’s management. The food provided in the centre was described as inedible. The respondent explained that he was not able to consult any medical staff while in the facility and described the possibility of being transferred to the hospital “if you are really sick”. However, no interpretation was reportedly provided during consultation at the hospital.