783694
Testimony- Testimony collected by
- Border Violence Monitoring Network
- Date and location recorded
- 2022, Thessaloniki, Northern Greece
- Detention centre related
- Detention Centre Country
- Greece
- Duration of detention
- 4 - 6 months
- Nationality
- Afghanistan
- Age
- 25
- Gender
- Male
- LGBTQI
- No answer
- Type of arrest
- Individual
- Why was the respondent detained?
- Detained after rejected asylum procedure
- Detained before?
- Yes, in a police station
- Was the respondent informed of the duration of detention?
- No
- Did the respondent experience any violence?
- Yes
- Type of violence experienced
- Isolation
- 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?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
- No
- Did the respondent have access to legal support?
- No
- Did the respondent apply for asylum?
- Yes
- Appealed?
- Unknown
- Number detained in cell
- 10+
- Number detainees sharing WC
- Unknown
- Hygiene rating
- Very poor
- Type of cell
- Unknown
- Had access to phone?
- Yes, own
- Had access to WiFi?
- Unknown
- Ventilation
- None
- Participated in hunger strike / protest?
- Unknown
- Had conflicts with other detainees?
- Unknown
- Meal quality
- Very poor
- Meal quantity
- 2 per day, in police station
- Had access to water?
- Unknown
- Had access to outdoor space?
- Yes, limited space
- Had access to educational resources?
- None
- Had access to religious space?
- Unknown
- Had access to electricity?
- Unknown
- Had access to bed?
- Individual
- Had access to laundry?
- Manual
- Had access to toilet articles?
- None
- Had access to mattress?
- Individual
- Narrative
The respondent is 25 years old and is from Afghanistan. He was arrested because he was undocumented and was transferred to Corinth PRDC. He applied for asylum again inside detention but he did not have any information about his case or how long he would be detained for. They did not have access to any hygiene items inside the centre. In Corinth, detainees are allowed to use their phones. If they have any Covid-like symptoms they are sent to quarantine rooms which are in bad condition. He once stayed there locked inside for 33 days without access to a shower, soap or a sink. They have access to an outdoor space for 4 hours per day but the space is very small and they can’t play any sports even if they wanted to. Their calls to see a doctor were always ignored and they are instructed to drink water to feel better. In cases of self-harm or when people are complaining, they are taken to another room by detention officers and are beaten up badly. He thinks that is the approach used by the police to keep them quiet and docile.