The increase in voluntary departure of illegal immigrants will be sought by the government, which will enhance the criminalization of illegal residence, establishing disincentives.
The Minister of Immigration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, Speaking to ERTNews, he stressed that the government gives the message that Greece is not a “welcome country” for illegal immigrants. The bill provides for imprisonment penalties for illegal entry, asylum suspension and reinforcement of returns.
OR three -month asylum suspensionpassed by the government by amendment ends the September. But Mr Plevris clarified, in the event of a new crisis, the government has the opportunity to expand, something Poland did. However, the aim is to have already passed the new bill to have a permanent legal framework for deterrence.
Imprisonment penalties without suspension and without redemption
The new arrangements provide for prison sentences from 2 to 5 years without suspension and without redemption for those who enter illegally. “The one who enters the country illegally will have a prison sentence without the possibility of payment. His only alternative is his return to his country, “Mr Plevris said. The aim is to send a prevention message to those who do not have a refugee profile and enter the country for purely financial reasons. ‘60% of arrivals from Libya They are 18-30 years old. Excuse me, only do they endanger the planet? ” questioned.
Speaking of two “schools of thoughts”, Mr Plevris said that one, the “left school” considers that everyone has the right to move. The second, followed by the government, argues that “Europe has boundaries and Greece is not a hotel”.
Reinforcement reinforcement
However, the minister acknowledged that returns are more difficult. “The problem is not to find them. The problem is to get them back, “he said.
At the same time there are attempts to cooperate with third countries such as Egypt, the Bangladesh and Pakistan, in order to facilitate compulsory returns.
Glomex Player(40599w16ki4e70hs, v-dbvyl1a5j6ih)
“He has no illegal immigrants right now in Crete”
Mr. Plevris reported to Crete, faced with increased flows from Libya. “It has no illegal immigrants right now,” he said, stating that those who came illegally were either transferred to prisons or closed ministry structures. On the basis of the data he was submitted, 2,642 arrivals were recorded in the first week of July, but after the amendment to suspend asylum and mandatory detention, flows were reduced to less than 900 in one month. “On the last day before the amendment we had 850 arrivals. A month later, the total number is about the same, “he said.
According to the minister, this policy had a deterrent effect and is attributed to both the diplomatic pressure on Libya and the message that Greece does not grant asylum for the next quarter. In addition, he revealed that circuits were promoting the “Crete channel” via SMS as a safe and friendly, which was identified and treated.
‘Europe is changing, open doors are over’
THE Minister of immigration emphasized that the conversion is pan -European: ‘The Germany He used to tell us “let them get in”, today he tells us “Take them back”. All Europe It changes. “
He defended the possibility of reception or detention centers in third countries, ie outside Europe, saying that “only some in Brussels persist in the doctrine of open borders.”
“Control for everyone for OPEKEPE – No one has a place in the party who illegally”
To a question about the scandal with illegal subsidies through OPEKEPE, Mr Plevris demanded complete control and criminal penalties to those involved, regardless of party identity: “Whether it is New Democracy or PASOK, anyone who received illegally subsidy must return the money and be punished.”
And he added: “We will not criminalize political life, but we will not accept the narrative that” it does not matter, a farmer got anything more. “
Concluding, he reiterated that the government is working with all audit authorities and the European Prosecutor, with the aim of clarifying the case.