A document from the Illegal Immigration Enforcement Directorate and signed by the supervisor of the Aliens and Border Protection branch Major General Giorgos Nitsas regarding a “new policy in the procedures of the detainment of migrants” has prompted a clash between the government and opposition.
According to this document, which was to come into effect on Wednesday, migrants arriving in Greece illegally will not be detained, but rather they will be given a 30-day deadline to depart. Should they not depart within 30 days, they will be rearrested and will be deported in six months. Presently, migrants entering the country illegally are documented and are either taken to migrant detention centers, or allowed to go free if they are asylum seekers.
The border guard federation POSYFY issued a statement condemning this change of policy, fearing the repercussions which may cause a major wave of illegal migration to Greece. The president of New Democracy Antonis Samaras issued a statement alleging that this document will mean that all migrant detention centers would open and all detainees would be allowed to go free.
In response the government issued a “non paper” disputing the content of the document and accused Mr. Samaras of being “irresponsible” in propagating uncertainties. The Minister of National Defense Panos Kammenos went one step further and referred to a “known general” who worked in collusion with New Democracy and was involved in the Haikalis scandal.
The Alternate Minister of Public Order Yannis Panousis told To Vima that no such document has been issued by any political div from his Ministry and that the Chief of Police is examining the matter. Mr. Panousis stressed that “some brigadier general” may have issued an order “to cause a problem”.
