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THE GREEK OMBUDSMAN
The Greek Ombudsman also carried out an ex-officio investigation on the
death of an alien in the Pre-removal Centre in Tavros in February 2017, while,
since June 2017, under its new competence as National Mechanism for the
investigation of arbitrary behaviour (L. 4443/2016), it investigates police
brutality complaints in any space under the jurisdiction of The Hellenic Police, including Pre-removal Centres.
Individual inspections and observations
The type of detention facilities varies for mass detention dormitories (Tavros, Corinth) or wings consisting of containers (Amygdalea, Paranestion)
to typical detention cells, which are the most unsuitable ones, since they
comply with the Returns Directive standards, especially given the duration
of detainment. Depending on the facility, living conditions vary as well, while
the strongest differentiation is observed on yard access.
Spaces and distribution of detainees
• In Tavros, there are 4 wings for men, 1 wing for women and 1 wing for
patients with communicable diseases, with 5-7 person cells and a total
capacity of 200 men and 170 women. On the day of inspection, 182
men and 21 women were held, as well as 1 accompanied toddler and 13
patients held separately.
• In Amygdaleza, there were containers distributed in 3 sectors, separated by barbed wire fences, each container consisting of two living
quarters of 4 person capacity each, and two toilets with showers. Total
capacity is 928 persons in theory, however functional expenditure available shrinks the actual capacity to 660 persons. On the day of inspection, 375 adults and 2 minors were held.
• In Corinth, there are 3 buildings, each one with a yard surrounded by
a double fence. Each two-storey building has 4 large dormitories with
bunk beds. There are 2 showers, 4 toilets and a 4-taps lavatory on each
floor. On the day of inspection, 700 persons, of which 3 minors, were
held, obviously overcrowded.
• In Moria in Lesvos, the Pre-removal Centre has a capacity of 210 persons.
There are 15 containers, aligned on both sides of a 3 metre wide road.
The open space between them serves as yard space. Each container
has 14 beds, in the form of bunk beds. The containers are relatively spacious, at the current rate of detainees. Every container has 2 toilets and
2 showers. On the day of inspection a total of 80 men were held.
• In Paranestion there are containers distributed in wings (7 in each wing),
with a capacity of 12 persons each, with 2 toilets and lavatories. Total
capacity of 450 persons. On the day of inspection a total of 416 persons
were held.
• In Xanthi, there are two separate detention buildings with dormitories,
with a total capacity of 480 persons distributed in dormitories of 30
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