880732

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
Algeria
Age
45
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?
Unknown
Did the respondent experience any violence?
Yes
Type of violence experienced
  • Hate speech
  • Verbal insult
Was the respondent forced to sign documents?
Unknown
Did the respondent have access to translation?
Yes
Did the respondent have access to medical aid?
Yes
Did the respondent have access to NGOs?
Unknown
Did the respondent have access to legal support?
No
Did the respondent apply for asylum?
Yes
Appealed?
No
Number detained in cell
6
Number detainees sharing WC
Unknown
Hygiene rating
Satisfactory
Type of cell
Unknown
Had access to phone?
Yes, own
Had access to WiFi?
Unknown
Ventilation
Unknown
Participated in hunger strike / protest?
Unknown
Had conflicts with other detainees?
  • No
Meal quality
Very poor
Meal quantity
Unknown
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?
Unknown
Had access to laundry?
Unknown
Had access to toilet articles?
Purchased
Had access to mattress?
Unknown
Narrative

The respondent is 45 years old and is from Algeria. He was arrested in Thessaloniki, where he stayed for one month in a police station. He was then transferred to Paranesti PRDC. While he claimed his room was clean as they cleaned it themselves, hygiene items were in short supply so 6-7 people had to share a shampoo bottle for a month. As a result, they ended up buying soap and detergent from the market. He described the food as dog food. They had access to a very small outdoor space all day but could not do any sports or recreational activities. Access to healthcare is limited and to see a psychologist could take more than three months. He reported racist and insulting behaviour, and also aggressiveness on the part of the police.