Athens: Greece has detained nearly 200 migrants who arrived after an asylum freeze was imposed on claimants from North Africa, the migration minister stated. The illegal immigrants, who entered from Libya recently, were arrested by the coast guard, according to Thanos Plevris on X. They are currently being held in police custody, as they do not have the right to apply for asylum and will not be taken to reception centers. The process of their return is being initiated.

According to Nam News Network, Greece is experiencing a rise in migrant arrivals from Libya, mainly landing in Crete, which is the home island of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Over 2,000 people have arrived just in July, leading to frustration among local officials and tourism operators. They have pressured the conservative government to take action to curb the inflow.

The government has declared a three-month suspension on asylum requests from any persons arriving by sea from North Africa. Additionally, the Greek migration ministry has prepared legislation enabling migrant detention for up to two years for illegal entry, and up to five years if caught staying in Greece illegally. Minister Plevris expressed a firm stance on the issue, stating that Greece is not a hotel and describing the migrant influx as an invasion.