Migrant Uprising in Serres: Arrests and Security Concerns
A recent riot by around 50 detainees at Greece’s closed Serres center highlighted chronic security flaws amid rising migrant numbers and repeated unrest linked to asylum rejections.
A new episode of migrant unrest has come to the forefront, this time at the closed facility in Kleidi, Serres, according to Law&Order.
On Sunday (May 3), about 50 migrants detained there gathered in the courtyard, shouting slogans in favor of freedom, such as “freedom.” Some of them threw stones at the police officers stationed outside the wire fence.
Authorities promptly decided to strengthen the police presence in the area; however, intervention was not necessary as the situation calmed after about two hours. According to information from police sources, no injuries were reported.
During the events, four Egyptians, aged 20 to 24, were arrested and faced charges of detainee mutiny. They were subsequently brought before justice, and local media report that each was sentenced to two years in prison.
Today, the facility in Kleidi houses about 500 people, according to statements by Giannis Kounios, president of the Police Employees Association of Serres Prefecture. However, the infrastructure remains in appalling condition, causing serious security issues.
As the number of detainees increases, it is worth noting that similar incidents occurred last November, when migrants set fires to objects and attacked police officers. At that time, detainees’ attempts to breach the wire fence resulted in injuries to two officers, with 30 migrants arrested.
The local police have repeatedly highlighted the serious security issues at this facility to the leadership of the responsible ministry, which has now been transformed from a Controlled Temporary Accommodation Facility into a Closed Controlled Migrant Detention Facility. Notably, uprisings often arise following information given to detainees about the rejection of their asylum requests.
