Greece suspends asylum applications for migrants from North Africa

Greece suspended the processing of asylum applications from North Africa for a period of three months after an increase in the number of immigrants.

Conservative Prime Minister Kiriacos Mitsotakis said that the boat arrivals from the area will be arrested.

He added that Greece was “sending a message of determination … to all the trapper and all its potential customers that the money they spend may be completely lost, because it will be difficult to reach Greece by sea.”

“This emergency situation requires emergency response measures.”

Mitsotakis added that the rulings will be based on The same legal logic that was applied in 2020 To prevent thousands of people from crossing the land borders with Türkiye.

A legislation project will be placed before Parliament on Thursday.

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The Mitsotakis advertisement follows a significant increase in migrant expatriates on the southern islands of Crete and Jafdos.

More than 2000 immigrants fell on Crete in recent days and 520 others from its coast were saved early on Wednesday, which led to the total number since the beginning of 2025 to 9000.

This was an increase of 350 % since last year. “Immigration suffocates us … our members literally on their knees,” he said.

“The flows are very high,” said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis, adding that the wave was “growing and continuing.”

According to the public broadcaster ERT, the authorities on Crete are undergoing a large logistical pressure with the continued pace and size of expatriates in overcoming the capacity of the available residence.

Local media said that several hundred people had been forced to launch it in an equal market hall, adding that among the immigrants is 30 families with young children and infants.

Ert said that the redistribution of migrants to other areas of the country is a particularly slow process because the tourism season means fewer buses and phrases.

On Tuesday, the Greek, Italians, and Maltan ministers, as well as the European Union immigration commissioner, traveled to Libya to discuss the increase in the pillars of migrants.

But they were forced to return when the National Stability Government (GNS) – a competition for the unlawful national unity government – prevented them from entering the country, accusing them of violating Libyan sovereignty.

However, Mitsotakis said that the Greek army was ready to cooperate with the Libyan authorities to prevent the departure of boats from the Libyan coast.

Non -governmental organizations have repeatedly criticized European governments attempts to photograph deals with the Libyan authorities to stop the flow of migrants.

People who have been intercepted by the Libyan Coast Guard are often imprisoned and returned to the beach in detention camps, where they undergo inhumane treatment and terrible conditions.

“Attempts to stop leaving at any cost show a complete ignorance of the life and dignity of migrants and refugees,” said Amnesty International.