The Greek police has arrested four volunteers who were active in Idomeni, the 12000 strong make-shift camp at the northern borders of Greece with Fyrom
As was described in a previous article, the tension in Idomeni is rising with the Fyrom police using tear-gas, plastic bullets and flash grenades while the Greek state has started the gradual application of pressure on the migrants.
The role of the volunteers and the various NGO's has started to come under question after various rumors which claim that some of them urge the desperate refugees to remain at Idomeni.
Today the Greek police made four arrests. During the morning, a German woman was arrested for the possession of pepper spray, while four more individuals; 3 Norwegians and an English, were arrested all together when un-licensed CB radios were found in their cars. On Tuesday a German man was arrested for the possession of a knife and a court date has been set.
While the arrests were made in a legally understandable way, the reasons appear to be pretty feeble, especially when one considers the special, extreme even, conditions of Idomeni. The decision of the Greek police could thus be seen as the beginning of a policy of harassment and control of the various volunteers and the many NGO's acting in the area.