Greece: Clashes between migrants and police in a detention center in the north of the country

Migrants clashed with police at a detention center near the Bulgarian border in northern Greece. Thirty-five people managed to escape by cutting through the perimeter fence before authorities recaptured some of them.

The incident occurred in Sintiki, a few kilometers from the Bulgarian border. Migrants threw stones at law enforcement, forcing authorities to request reinforcements. Police used stun grenades to disperse the rioters, and the clashes continued into the early hours of Sunday morning.

At least five migrants were injured and hospitalized. Of the 35 people who escaped after cutting through the center's fence, 17 were recaptured. The search continued for the remaining 18.

The temporary accommodation center in Sintiki houses approximately 450 people whose asylum applications are being processed, a procedure that can take a long time.

Greece is one of the main entry points for migrants into Europe. The Prime Minister's conservative government has tightened the rules on the deportation of rejected asylum seekers. Athens is also participating in discussions between several European Union countries and African states to create centers for people whose applications have been rejected, an initiative strongly criticized by international human rights organizations.