Confusion reigns supreme concerning the government’s plans for the immigrants being freed from detention centers following their illegal entry into Greece. The Radical Left Coalition (SYRIZA) is allegedly criticized for having plans to set all former detainees free, closing down overcrowded detention centers such as the notorious Amygdaleza. A document has come to light that allows those who cross Greece’s borders in order to make their way to other countries to remain in Greece without arrest, giving them the chance to stay in the country for a month, enough time to choose their new destination.
The supposed order states that no undocumented migrants are to be arrested, but were to be provided with temporary residency papers of up to six months until they found the means to leave Greece and travel to a desired destination. The document was criticized once it saw the light of day, with claims that it would be a magnet for illegal immigrants wishing to use Greece in order to travel to other destinations. The supposed document is signed by Major George Nitsas, head of the Aliens and Border Protection Branch. The document essentially
The Greek Interior Ministry vehemently denies that it is going to let immigrants loose once the detention centers are closed down. It released a short statement on Tuesday that says: “Is it the result of a sick imagination or fabricated ‘news’ to terrorize citizens? Whatever it is, this announcement concerning the Detention Centers lacks seriousness and is not based on truth.” Panoussis told Vima newspaper that such a decision has not been made by the government. The matter is being investigated. An official may have released such a document on their own initiative and the matter is being looked into. Interior Minister Yiannis Panoussis is holding a press conference to talk about the issue at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday.
Government spokesman Gavriil Sakellaridis told private SKAI TV this morning that the document was sent according to an initiative by an official that had not informed the minister. Though denying that the document was in accordance with the government’s official line, Sakkelaridis also refrained from outlining SYRIZA’s plans for the immigration problem in Greece, prefering instead to let Panoussis and Alternate Immigration Policy Minister Tasia Christodolopoulou to make the relevant announcements.
Speaking with private SKAI TV, Interior and Administrative Reconstruction Minister Nikos Voutsis also stated his concern as to how such a document, not in accordance with the government’s plans, could possibly have been authorized.
On his part, Panagiotis Harelas, President of the Border Guards, confirmed the existence of the said document, however gave no details as to whether it would be implemented and when. He said that the leadership of the Residence Bureau has stated that the immigrants would be freed from detention centers. “We gave our own opinion in a meeting we had with the minister last week and have reacted as it isn’t possible that legal and illegal immigrants should be treated the same way,” he told Proto Thema.
On his part, former prime minister Antonis Samaras made an announcement calling the move as “unbelievable” and maintaining that the SYRIZA and Independent Greeks (ANEL) coalition is turning Greece into a magnet for illegal immigrants.
