Greek "wall" against illegal immigration to Europe

Greek border guards on the Greek-Turkish frontiers

A giant project, stretching from Evros (the northern greek side) to Athens (capital) and bearing the name of “Xenious Zeus”, aims to “seal” borders and remove illegal immigrants, is now in full swing..

Early on Saturday morning, police forces operate in the wider city center to detect illegal immigrants.

According to the organizational plan of Police HQ, 1500 police officers, DIAS, Security, Riot Police and Local police departments are taking part in exploring known hangouts of immigrants, houses, apartments, shops and even abandoned buildings.


Those foreigners found to be in the country illegally will be led to Amygdaleza’s reservation, and for those with Justice cases pending, legal process will be followed. 

On Friday, in police schools of Xanthi and Komotini, around 200 illegal immigrants were transferred, in order to be returned to their countries.

At the same time, strong police forces are already in Thrace, in the program prepared by the Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection which had been announced by Minister Nikos Dendias, referring to a potential wave of immigrants from Syria.

Specifically, the minister stressed that “1800 border guards are already moving towards Evros, with floating craft, for the first phase. Six boats are on the move now, which will reach 26 by the end of the month on Evros, in order to try to finally “seal” it. What we aim is to stop Greece being an easy place to enter illegally and take advantage of”.

Immigrants pass the borders in Evros

At the same time, for fear of a mass influx of refugees from Syria via Greece, the German interior minister Hans-Peter Fritrich urges Turkey to contribute to stop illegal immigration into the EU.

In an interview in the newspaper Rheinische Post the German Minister argues that the EU is trying to “seal all entrances” on the GrecoTurkish borders to Europe, since it is apparently above the capabilities of Greece”.