The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, referred to Ertnews to increase migratory flows in Crete, stressing that “Yesterday the island’s congestion began and within two or three days everyone will be gone,” by transferring to structures indicated by the ministry.

The minister clarified that the new entrants are under administrative detention or restriction of freedom, as asylum suspension for those who cross the border illegally. “These are not hosting structures, but for restriction spaces, as these people are considered prisoners.”he underlined.

Mr. Plevris noted that Crete recorded 689 arrivals August and new increased flows in the first days of Septemberwith the culmination of two days where About 850 people were recorded. The phenomenon, as he said, is examined “If it is a conventional or if it is associated with an aggressive movement of traffickers or other tooling intentions.”

According to the Minister, the amendment implemented by July ‘It has worked to a complete degree for two months’however, approaching its expiration (October 11) “It loses its dynamics as it may motivate new flows”. To expand or not of the measure, he stressed that it would there is evaluation depending on developments and to consultation with them European partners.

Mr. Plevris also pointed out that despite the picture in Crete, in East Aegean is recorded 11% reduction in flowswith the cooperation of the Turkish Coast Guard to help reduce arrivals. On the contrary, in Crete it was created New Migrant Transfer Channelstressing that temporary hosts had been agreed to Do not exceed 1,000 people.

Finally, he said that guarding and monitoring in the Libyan maritime zone, with the participation of the Port and the Ministry of Defense, noting that “If the phenomenon continues, there will be escalation in this part.”