Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has issued a circular mandating the distribution of an informational leaflet to third-country nationals who enter or remain illegally in the country.
Specifically, as stated, the leaflet will be distributed to third-country nationals who enter or remain illegally in the country and are located in Closed Controlled Facilities, Reception and Identification Centers, and Controlled Temporary Accommodation Facilities for asylum seekers of the Reception and Identification Service, as well as to those who approach the Asylum Service to submit an international protection application. This leaflet will be distributed alongside other informational materials as provided by relevant legislation, and contains the following content:
“The Ministry of Migration and Asylum of the Hellenic Republic informs you that its Services will examine your asylum request in accordance with national and European legislation. If you are not a refugee and are not entitled to protection, then you have entered and remain illegally in the country, therefore: a) your request will be rejected, b) you will be subject to administrative detention for up to 24 months, and c) you are committing a serious criminal offense, for which you will be convicted and serve a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years. The only way to avoid the above adverse consequences is to leave Greece voluntarily and return to your homeland. And the most appropriate time to decide this is now, before submitting your asylum application. In the event that you commit violent acts or display violent behavior within the Facilities where you are hosted, your asylum request will be rejected immediately, as you will be considered a threat to public order and security in Greece.”
