- 37 The CPT also trusts that detention centres such as Petrou Ralli and Filakio, with their
totally inappropriate carceral design, will in future only be used for holding persons for short
periods.
62.
The CPT’s delegation visited the pre-departure centres of Amygdaleza (Athens), Komotini,
Paranesti and Xanthi, as well as the Thessaloniki Aliens Department facility at the Metagogon
(Transfer) Centre and the Amygdaleza centre for unaccompanied minors. It also carried out followup visits to the Athens airport, 35 Filakio36 and Petrou Ralli37 special holding facilities for irregular
migrants.
63.
The Amygdaleza pre-departure centre, opened in April 2012, is located in a corner of the
police academy in northern Athens. The centre is composed of two camps of a series of fenced-in
gravel compounds, in which there are three or four rows of pre-fabricated structures, each
accommodating up to eight persons. At the time of the visit, Camp I was accommodating 718
persons for a capacity of 736 (i.e. 92 units) in five compounds (two had 16 units and three 20 units).
Camp II was of a similar layout and was operating at full capacity, accommodating 906 persons. A
third camp with a capacity for 336 detainees was under preparation.
The Komotini centre, opened in August 2012, consists of two double-storey accommodation
buildings, each within a secure fenced perimeter, and an administration building. At the time of the
visit, it was accommodating 410 adult men for an official capacity of 540.
The Paranesti centre, opened on 28 September 2012 and located within a former military
barracks, consists of four distinct fenced-in single-storey accommodation blocks, each with its own
yard, and two small administrative buildings. At the time of the visit, one accommodation block
was not in use and another one had only been opened up two days prior to the delegation’s visit.
The centre was holding 324 detainees for a capacity of 557.
The Xanthi centre, opened on 4 August 2012 and located within the regional police
academy, consists of two double-storey accommodation buildings, each within a secure fenced
perimeter, and an administration building. The centre was holding 438 persons and had a maximum
capacity of 480.
35
36
37
See the report on the CPT’s 2009 visit: CPT/Inf (2010) 33, paragraph 65.
See the report on the CPT’s 2011 visit: CPT/Inf (2012) 1, paragraph 22.
See, inter alia, reports on the CPT’s 2005 and 2011 visits: CPT/Inf (2006) 41, paragraphs 35 and 36 and
CPT/Inf (2010)33, paragraph 68.
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