9. Asylum and the asylum procedure in detention 65 In the vulnerable case of F.A. from Nigeria the dysfunctional asylum system led to the closure of her file. Even though the police directorate of Alexandroupolis promptly reacted by sending her rejection decision to the alien police in Athens and although a fax was send by GCR in order to guarantee her access to appeal within the deadline, police never gave access to her resulting in the termination of her asylum procedure195. F.H. from Iran had applied for asylum during detention in the border guard station of Soufli. He stayed there for six months and was finally released on June 16, 2011. He came to Athens. After three months his Red Card expired and he requested the renewal. The police asked him to bring a lease contract from the place he was staying as a precondition of the renewal. F.H. could not provide for any house contract certified by the tax office as he is in need of reception conditions.196 The bags of the detainees in Fylakio are kept in the yard and inside confiscated trucks. Often they cannot be found anymore upon release »I asked for protection, but they just want to kick me out of the system.« A.R. from Iran ■ A.R. was released from Feres during the late winter months and managed to arrive in Alexandroupolis train station with the few money he had. He remained for some days homeless at the railway station since he had no money for the ticket to Athens. Upon arrival in Athens he continued to be homeless. »I had to stay for weeks in the park, without toilet, water … I was afraid during the nights. I have tried every NGO. Everybody told me that there was nothing they could do. They told me even not to wait to find a free place in the reception places. I cannot stand it any more. I do not have money to try to go to another European country. I am desperate!«197 (…) 195 F.A. from Nigeria; October 26, 2011 – Athens 196 F.H. from Iran; October 26, 2011 – Athens When he had to go his first interview to Orestiada he had borrow money to buy the ticket. During his interview there was no official interpreter. In Athens when he wanted to put his appeal he had no access to the aliens police. The police told him repeatedly: »Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow!« – while the 10-days-deadline was running. Repeatedly GCR-lawyers intervened to ensure his access to the building without any result. In the end the police denied him the access although they were well aware of the fact that it was the last day of his deadline. In July he asked for the renewal of his Pink Card but the police had lost his card so until today he could not do his renewal.198 »I asked for protection, but they just want to kick me out of the system.« 197 A.R. from Iran; January 15, 2011 – Athens 198 A.R from Iran; October 25, 2011- Athens