Place of detention

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Greek Council for Refugees Visit Website

Pre-removal detention centres

According to Article 51(1) Asylum Code, asylum seekers are detained in detention areas as provided in Article 31 L 3907/2011, which refers to pre-removal detention centres established in accordance with the provisions of the Returns Directive. Therefore, asylum seekers are also detained in pre-removal detention centres together with third-country nationals under removal procedures.

Seven pre-removal detention centres were active at the end of 2023. The PRDC of Lesvos, has temporarily suspended its operation due to extended damages following the widespread fire of September 2020 that destroyed the Moria RIC within which it was located. The total nationwide pre-removal detention capacity is 3,676 places. According to information provided to GCR by the Hellenic Police on 18 January 2024, the capacity of the pre-removal detention facilities in 2023 is as follows:

Police stations

Despite public statements from the Greek authorities committing to phase out detention in police stations and other holding facilities, third-country nationals including asylum seekers and unaccompanied children were also detained in police stations and special holding facilities during 2023. As confirmed by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, there were 261 persons in administrative detention at the end of 2023 in facilities other than pre-removal centres, of whom 14 were asylum seekers.[2]

As explained in Grounds for Detention, detention is also de facto applied in mainland RICs and Closed Control Access Centres of the Aegean Islands.

[1] Information provided by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, 18 January 2024.

[2] Information provided by the Directorate of the Hellenic Police, 18 January 2024.