ATHENS — Greek authorities call them migrant pre-removal facilities, but they look
more like prisons. Many of the residents are locked up not for committing a crime, but rather simply for trying to get asylum in Europe. For this, they say they’re held months, packed scores to a room, and often beaten.
“We didn't have any choice so we started a hunger strike, we sewed up our mouth and we stopped eating and drinking,” said Farhad, who has asked not to be identified, fearing retribution for speaking out. “Anyone will do whatever it takes to get his freedom. Some people have tried to commit suicide to get free, others went crazy in there.”
Farhad was just 17 when he made it to Greece from Afghanistan. He says he was held at a detention center in Corinth Greece for 14 months before finally getting political asylum in December.