Build prison camps for failed migrants, EU chief tells Greece

GREECE should detain thousands of failed asylum seekers, the EU migration commissioner has said.

Dimitris Avramopoulo said prison camps are needed to hold migrants before deportation. It is part of a tougher approach as evidence mounts that a growing number of people reaching Greece are economic migrants.

Greece fears it could be “sealed off ” to keep refugees from the rest of Europe. Mr Avramopoulos, a conservative Greek politician himself, told EurActiv website: “Detention or removal centres are also needed for those who receive the decision to return, particularly if there is a risk of absconding and if they are not willing to return voluntarily.”