Migration: Closed detention center on Rhodes and 3 generals in deportation

The government is initiating changes in the operational doctrine of migration management following the unfavorable developments in recent weeks Rhodes. It is widely recognized within the government that traffickers have changed their methods, increasingly using speedboats and vessels that no longer resemble the typical makeshift boats, and targeting new routes different from those of recent years.

Notable are the events in Rhodes a few weeks ago, where hundreds of migrants wandered and camped in the heart of the island’s old town, which is still busy with tourists due to favorable weather conditions. Another emerging ‘target’ for human traffickers is Crete, which also lacks refugee facilities, putting specific areas under great pressure.

The situation on Rhodes

According to Themethe government has decided to intervene more decisively, as the migration issue is both a thorn in the side and a fuel for the parties on the right of the ND. In Rhodes, where local society has traditionally resisted the idea of ​​a closed facility before departure, modeled on those on islands in the northeastern Aegean, attitudes have changed. The government now plans to set up a detention center to be managed by the Hellenic Police, in collaboration with other entities. This facility will be completely closed and only intended for the initial registration of asylum seekers arriving on the island before being transferred to the mainland. Most cases will only last a few days as procedures are expedited.

Relevant sources clarify that this center differs from other closed pre-departure facilities in that migrants are detained and not allowed to move freely, with the obligation to return at night. Upon transfer to the mainland structures, they will undergo all necessary procedures to assess their asylum applications.

The Ministry of Migration, in collaboration with the Greek National Defense General Staff (GEETHA), has reportedly identified two to three potential locations for the facility, including former military camps on the island. Each site chosen requires appropriate adjustments, which may take weeks or several months. Either way, having such a structure on the island represents a significant shift.

New faces

At the same time, changes in operational doctrine led by Minister of Migration and Asylum Nikos Panagiotopoulos are reflected in personnel shifts. Last Thursday, Dimitra Lygoura, general secretary for the reception of asylum seekers, submitted her resignation. Ms Lygoura had moved from the Ministry of Civil Protection to the Ministry of Migration in the summer, together with fellow secretary Manos Logothetis. Mr Logothetis continues to work closely with Mr Panagiotopoulos, but Ms Lygoura was blamed weeks ago for the poor handling of the Rhodes crisis. She has been criticized for not acting quickly to transfer migrants from the island to the mainland through fast-track processes, which has led to very unpleasant scenes. The decision to remove her was also approved by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, a notable move as Ms Lygoura was considered part of his wider circle.

Ms Lygoura’s position will be filled by retired Lieutenant General Dimitris Glymis, a former Chief of Staff of the General Staff of the Hellenic Army (HAGS). During his time in office, he overlapped with Mr. Panagiotopoulos when the latter served as Minister of National Defense, although they did not work closely together. Additional, Theme reports that two retired Greek police generals are taking on important new roles: former chief Lazaros Mavropoulos will take on the position of national return coordinator as deportations have become the top priority for both the government and the EU, which has shifted to a stricter migration policy.

Retired Major General Konstantinos Panagiotopoulos, former number 2 of the Athens Security Service and director of the Drug Enforcement Division with notable achievements, is expected to take on the role of national refugee coordinator.

At the same time, the ministry is reportedly implementing a “quiet” program to settle various financial obligations to suppliers as recent financial obligations had reached unmanageable levels.

Strong boundaries

The government continues to emphasize the European dimension of the problem. “Migration is a priority for our government. It’s not just a Greek problem; it is a European problem. To tackle this problem, a holistic approach and actions at European level are needed. Europe, beginning to understand the scale and severity of the problem, is taking a tougher stance on migration. As a border country of the EU, Greece cannot be an exception. This brings strong borders, more effective surveillance and faster return processes,” said Minister of Migration and Asylum Nikos Panagiotopoulos. Theme.

The minister openly acknowledges the challenges and system errors that have arisen. “As a ministry, we took on a difficult task a few months ago: restoring confidence and returning to normality. In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, we work intensively to solve problems and ensure the sustainable operation of our facilities.

Our goal is to maintain and improve the system for managing migration flows, making it even more efficient, fair and humanitarian, always in combination with protecting our country’s external borders,” Mr. Panagiotopoulos emphasized.