Galery

1

Today, the old Police Academy in Komotini is a centre for illegal immigrants. A simple wire-net separates the two worlds. On one side of the net there are a hundred people who have been arrested since August. They are unshaven, wearing creased clothes, angry and have tears in their eyes. They are hanging on the wire-net, shouting words in unintelligible languages - only one of them knows a little English. Greek and foreign journalists with cameras and iPhones are standing on the other side.

EU Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom, who is responsible for immigration issues, in the presence of Minister of Public Order Nikos Dendias and Head of the Greek delegation of the European Commission Panagiotis Karvounis, is asking them: "What do you eat?", "How often do you go out in the yard?", "Have you filed a request for asylum?". Instead of answers, she is given rhythmic shouts "Syria", "Freedom", "Human rights." Malmstrom is visiting the rooms of the emigrants in the centre in Vien. There is no jostling, but complaints about the conditions of detention can be heard. She is promising a seriously ill man that she will find him a better hospital. She is also promising the immigrants that they will be moved into a new building. Those who understand are looking at her with disappointment. A few minutes of publicity are not enough to describe their situation.

Last Monday, the EU Commissioner inspected four centres for immigrants in the region of Evros. Asked by a Greek journalist whether it would be more appropriate for her position to be taken by someone from southern Europe, for example from a country with similar problems, such as Greece or Italy, Malmstrom reacted with anger. She lost her Swedish composure and explained that her country has vast experience in giving asylum. According to estimates, the number of illegal immigrants in Sweden is between 60,000 and 100,000. In comparison, 56,000 illegal immigrants were captured in 2010 in the region of Evros alone. Merkel's visit, which closed central Athenian streets on Tuesday, deterred Malmstrom from visiting neighbourhoods such as Agios Pandeleymonas, which isn't reminiscent of Stockholm at all.

After Malmstrom departured for Athens, the journalists visited Kerees - a hill on the Turkish border opposite Edirne. Chief of Police Directorate of Orestiada George Salamangas has been serving there since the early 90s. He has coordinated all the operations of detention. He explains that the service is further supported by dogs, people, and technology. As a result, there is an impressive decrease in the number of illegal immigrants in Evros. 1,800 people were captured in August, while their number was only 70 in September.

There is a barrier along the land border with Turkey. So far the wire-net is 2.5 metres high and it will become 3 metres high. The first phase of the project has been finished - 7.5 kilometres of the 12.5 km provided. According to Salamangas, the barrier will be ready by the end of October. He believes that it will significantly contribute to addressing the problem.