Greek Lawyers – Be Careful Who you Choose

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Are Greek lawyers competent? My Experience.......

Foreword. According to official figures, there are about 47,000 qualified lawyers in Greece making it one of the few professions which has actually grown in number (and wealth and influence) from the year 2000. The number has increased dramatically from about 20,000 in the year 2000, and women now make up a staggering 57% of the total. The fact is that lawyers are a vital part of the Greek economy, their “business” assisted by the introduction of new laws where prosecutions are mandatory – for example, those concerning domestic violence and residency (as in my case)

My Lawyer August to-November 2025. My Heraklion based Lawyer (not named for legal reasons) was found by my good friend Heather Woodward, shortly after I had been imprisoned. His name and firm also appeared on the list of Lawyers provided by the UK Consulate. He agreed at the outset to accept a fee of 3000 euros for representimg me in contesting the three convictions that I had apparently accumulated – two for domestic violence and the other for keeping a shotgun at my property. It could be established that I had never received notice of either the court appearances or the subsequent details of the sentencing, imposed in my absence. 1000 euros cash was paid to him by Heather as an initial advance with no receipt given, the balance of 2000 euros to be paid at the end of the re-trials expected. These were the agreed fees and the basis of my agreement with him. He had a colleague from another Practice in Chania where the Court cases would be heard, and this agreed fee secured the services of both lawyers.

First Impressions – PreTrial There were two or three meetings between this lawyer and myself at the Alikarnassos prison in Heraklion. The first meeting coincided with a visit from a Greek lady named Aristea, the vice consul for the UK Embassy in Heraklion. She knew the lawyer and stayed on to hear our conversation – which for me was a good thing, because it meant that she was more aware of my own situation. The Lawyer informed me that he had been at work already, and hearings or “appeals” were set for in the coming month in Chania, and there was a good chance of succeeding in forcing a re-trial for all convictions. So far, so good!

Second Impressions – PreTrial: False Witnesses I don’t know if the presence of the UK Consulate’s vice consul affected his first meeting with me, but his performance at subsequent meetings at the prison before my trial in Chania due 24th September 2025 were worrying. He was arrogant and not particularly interested in any information that I had to add background to my case. He appeared to have already made up his mind what his tactic would be, and he pressured me to name witnesses to support my case. I told him that since I had effectively integrated for many years (2014 to 2022) into the Greek “society” of Kefalas – my home at the time of the alleged “domestic violence” – the only witnesses were Greek and unlikely to want to testify. He persisted with this, and even went so far as to openly suggest that I could pay a witness to produce false testimony – something I found difficult to believe from a Grrek Lawyer. He did however manage to persuade one of the three Greek witnesses to later appear on my behalf. There were no briefings as such, and I had no clear idea what the tactics for the upcoming trial would be.

Trial 24th September 2025 – Advised to Lie under Oath: I was transported under handcuffs in a police car from Heraklion to Chania’s Agia Prison in the week before the trial date. During that week in the Chania prison, I had no visits or information from this lawyer. I arrived at the courthouse in handcuffs at about 9 a.m., and managed to have a very brief converstaion with the lawyer, during which he told me that I should give a different version of events for the first charge and to deny the truth of the second charge – this accused me of throwing dog “poo” at my wife. This was in fact true. I had done so out of huge frustration, not with any intent to harm, but to shame her, for refusing to help look after her three dogs. On the stand, I ignored his advice for the first charge, and gave the true version of events – I was found innocent. For the “poo” charge, I followed his advice, and denied it – I was found guilty of this, and sentenced to six months, with parole. I am pretty sure that if I had told the truth and not followed his specific advice to lie under oath, I would have been found innocent. I believe there was video footage from my wife’s camera which supported her claim, and this allowed the prosecutor present (female) to cast doubt on my credibiity as a witness.

Immediate Post-Trial : After the verdict, there was a certain amount of personal relief that I could now return home, but dismay at the conviction charge – which would not stand up in any other Court of Law. Although very disappointed, I reasoned that I could now plan to defend myself properly at the second and final re-trial due on 21st October 2025.

26th September – Residency Issue: I had been returned to Heraklion prison the day before, and was fully expecting to be released, until my re-arrest and subsequent detention at the Heraklion Police Department on the morning of the 26th Spetember. I have covered this entire painful experience in another Post: I called my Lawyer from the immigration offices at the time of my “interview” and asked the immigration officer present to explain to my lawyer what had happened and the reasons for and terms of my detention. Since immediate deportation was being ordered, I told both the Lawyer and the Immigration Officer present that I did not wish to be deported, firstly because of the inevitable destruction and financial loss this would cause to my private life in Crete, and secondly my desire to appear at the important re-trial due in Chania on 21st October.

Post 26th September – Police Detention Centre Heraklion: Bullying At the next meeting – from memory this occurred a day later – it was clear to me that my Lawyer was now only concerned with getting his full fee – even though the Residency problem was a complete surprise to us both, and final payment would not be due until the conclusion of the re-trial set for 21st October 2025. I asked him if he thought I should be detained – he said “No”: since he did not appear to know anything about Greek Residency issues, I asked him if I should appoint another Lawyer with Immigration and Greek Residency expertise – he said “Yes” . Under enormous pressure and bullying from my Lawyer, I was asked to contact friends to pay for his fees, and I know he made several calls (unauthorised by me) to at least 3 friends asking them directly to pay fees to him. I explained that I had money in the UK, but without access to my laptop and the internet, it would be difficult to arrange the further interim payment which he was now insisting upon. I said I would do my best to retrieve the laptop so that an interim payment could be made directly to his bank account, at the police station and in his presence, using the local wi-fi available. I was fortunate that good friends Heather and David Woodward drove to Heraklion to bring the laptop. Unfortunately it needed another keyboard to operate correctly since it had been stored somewhere unsuitable – I asked the lawyer to provide another basic PC keyboard with a USB connection (cost about 10 euros and available anywhere) but he refused to do so: I found this surprising.

Re-trial 21st October 2025 – Chania Court: Negligence Despite the personal doubts I now had about my Lawyer, I was expecting to attend this re-trial on 21st October. Even though I had not been contacted by him for some weeks, I expected to be summoned at any moment and driven to Chania for the Court appearance, but there was no summons. On the 21st October, late morning, my lawyer appeared at the prison in a state of high agitation demanding that I produce the immigration documents justifying my detention – something I thought he should have had in his possession. I soon understood that the other lawyer in Chania needed this proof for the Court to grant an immediate extension. It was clear to me that either the Heraklion Police department had refused permisssion, or, despite having three weeks to prepare, my Lawyer had done nothing to enable me to attend the Court, which could have resulted in the expunging of the charges, and potentially led the way to my immediate release. it is still not entirely clear why I did not attend the re-trial.

My Bank Debit Card – Illegal possession of personal property and Extortion: I needed money to survive in the detention Centre, and because I still had my Bank Card (for ATMs etc), I entrusted the Lawyer with my PIN code and authorised him to draw 100 euros for my own use – there was about 220 euros in the account at the time. As the rleationship deteriorated – after the 21st October – and my calls were not being returned, there was no news and were no visits from this lawyer. I had requested several times that he return the Debit Card, and even persuaded the police on duty to call him and request that the card was returned, which he agreed to do. The card was not returned: I was then informed by my friend Jonathan Buburalakis who visited me to bring some urgent supplies and money that he had been told by this lawyer that the card would not be returned unless he was paid money that he believed to be owing. In addition, the lawyer involved was making personal threats to sue me, and using his position to prevent me from appointing another Lawyer to provide much needed clarity on the residency issue, and the options available to me. A few days after this, and without my knowledge, Jonathan made a payment of 800 euros cash to this Lawyer. However, the card was still not returned, and in desperation, I contacted the head of the Police at the station, and told him that I would be suing this Lawyer for illegal possession of the Card and extortion. The next day, I received the first visit in weeks from the Lawyer in question.

Final Meeting – and “You’re Fired”: The day after my visit to the Head of Police, and some time in November, the Lawyer turned up for a meeting. I was glad to have a police officer present as a witness who spoke and understood English . I had 3 questions for the Lawyer: (1) Where was my ATM card (2) Why was he not answering my phonecalls and (3) Why did I not attend the Court on 21st October?
(1) He returned the card, with a printed balance – he had taken 200 euros and not the 100 euros I had authorised.
(2) He did not respond to the question about phonecalls
(3) He gave two different answers – firstly he tried to suggest that it was up to me to make the appeal to attend the re-trial and, when pressed, said that the Police Department may have refused permisssion. I pointed out that one of the parties was lying – the Police department said that they had had no such request.

I then told him that I had dispensed with his services, he was no longer my lawyer, and the meeting was terminated.

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Prisons in Crete and the Heraklion Detention Centre

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What you should know about Prisons in Crete

Foreword: I had never in my 76 years of life on this planet been to prison, or been even close to being sentenced for any wrong doing or misdemeanour. I did have one rather shameful drunk driving episode in the UK when I was in my 30s – so 40 years previously.

But the Greek legal system changed all that, and I spent four months of my life between August and December 2025 being incarcerated in three facilities on the island of Crete. This post is not about the “whys” and “wherefores”, which are covered by other posts in this blog, but specifically about my experiences and recollections of the two prisons and particularly the detention centre I was confined in.

There is a huge difference between the facilities and living conditions in the two prisons mentioned below – both of which I assume meet international standards – and the Holding Cells in the basement of the Heraklion central police station (supposedly a temporary Holding Facility for felonies and misdemeanours, but used as a Detention Centre) which in my opinion do not meet those international standards.

The Prisons are run exclusively by Prison Guards – Filaka – whereas the Detention Centre was run by the Heraklion Police Department.

I am pretty sure that this particular job at the Heraklion Police Department – playing nursemaid to an unruly group of young men who speak little or no Greek and are from third world countries , mainly Africa and the Middle East – is highly unpopular with police officers, as can be seen from my comments below.

Alikarnassos Prison – Heraklion (5 weeks).This prison houses about 300 inmates,from all walks of life – drug dealers, murderers, “political” prisoners and more. When you first arrive, you are strip searched, and all your possessions checked by the guards. Mobile phones, credit cards and anything that could be used as a weapon are removed. Any money is counted, and logged in your account in the admin office. You are asked if you want to convert some of the cash into “markers” – which are used as common currency inside the prison (coloured discs). You then collect whatever posessions you are left with and told your cell number. Next, you are released from the admin centre into the main prison area, where you need to locate your cell and move in – there is no escort, and you are expected to work it out for yourself, which can be difficult if your knowledge of Greek is limited. Once outside the admin or office area, there are guardposts with controlled points of entry into the various parts of the prison, which include the main cellblocks, library, medical centre and kitchen areas. In the cells, beds are metal and stacked “army barracks” style. A cell will consist of up to three people, and has a private toilet/shower and basic facilities. TV is available at a cost. Cells are opened at about 8 a.m. and locked from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and after 8 p.m. for the night. Guards will count the number of prisoners in each cell on a regular basis and before opening the cells at the prescribed times – the “peep-hole” in every cell door needs to be kept unobstructed. A tannoy system is employed to communicate with prisoners: being close to the main airport, there is a huge amount of noise from aircraft, which can make talking on the various payphones and hearing tannoy announcements pretty challenging. Meals are provided at lunchtimes and late afternoon/early evening, and have to be collected from the kitchen area on the ground floors. There are hotplates available in the common areas outside the cells for private cooking, as well as fridges (at a cost). It is up to the cell occupants to ensure that bedbugs are controlled or eliminated and to keep cells tidy and clean: rubbish bags are provided outside the cells and are located in the washroom area which provides toilets and showers (with hot water). Forms have to be completed and left in special “post” boxes to order things like tobacco (Mondays) and other items (Wednesdays) payment for which is taken from your “account” held in the central office. These can then be collected from the local “store” run by one of the prisoners. Prisoners can apply for work – such as assisting in the kitchen, or general cleaning duties and rubbish clearance – which counts toward a reduction in time served. There is a large outside courtyard for exercise purposes, and growing plants, vegetables etc. together with a work-out area and basket ball court. The local barter “currency” is, as for most prisons, tobacco, sugar and (when I was there) ice. The most common topic of conversation between prisoners is food. Everything could be provided at a price – including mobile phones (with internet access) and drugs. Some prisoners had a certain “status” and had extra privileges.
Agia Farm Prison Chania (one week). Located to the south of Chania not far from the main hospital, this prison operated in a similar way to Alikarnassos – the main difference being that it was split into various categories of prisoner, so one block would be for Albanians, another for Greeks etc. From memory I was put into the Alpha block, which mainly housed Greeks. My block had about 7 cells, each having up to four occupants, with facilities and conditions similar to Alikarnassos. Directly outside the cells, there was a common area with seating, and in an adjacent room, a workout area with table tennis table and a canteen where one could buy drinks and basic food items. There was also an enclosed outdoor courtyard with basketball “hoops”, which was used for football games – benches were available for seating. The same style of Tannoy system was in use, but was pretty inaudible. As I was in this prison for only one week, I did not have the opportunity to get to know the routine as well as I did for Alikarnassos, Heraklion.
Central Heraklion Police Department – Detention Centre. (11 weeks) As described in a previous post, this “facility”, located in the basement of the main police building, was designed as a Holding facility for those awaiting trial for various criminal offences – in my time there, the criminal offences logged were mainly Domestic Violence and Drug Offences of one type or another. This category of detainee spends no more than a few days in the facility, either awaiting trial or – if convicted – awaiting transportation to a proper prison. However, the Greek Immigration authorities – based in the same building – use this place as a long term detention centre for “would be” immigrants who do not have valid residency or work permits. In these cases, the detention period is not a few days – it can be six months or more.
On entering the detention area, the police office is on the left: there are normally 2 or 3 police offices on duty, with two or three daily shifts. From here they control the automatic locks of the main entry gates and the individual locks of every cell door. They have monitors showing security camera footage in the corridors adjoining the main cellblock.
Attached to the police office is a store-room where the personal possessions of the detainees are stored. They also keep and control various medication for prisoners and pharmaceutical items. No pills are allowed in the cells.
Directly opposite the police office are two additional secure “rooms” which each house two cells independently from the main block. These are used for special cases – such as women prisoners, or underage detainees.
The locked main gate leading to the corridor in use in the main block is a few metres from the police office, and from this gate, the police shout out instructions and messages to the inmates. In the same way, inmates try to communicate with police for information, medication or reporting a personal problem or trying to get their cell door unlocked for toilet access – mainly without success. I gave up trying to obtain my prison prescribed medication for high blood pressure after a few days.
There are seven cells A1, A2 etc up to A7. A1 has 10 bed spaces, the other six having 7 beds each. I was in this main block, and spent time in A1 and A5. Two corridors run either side of these cells, but only the one corridor which has access to the communal latrines (3 working) and showers (4) and the main gate can be accessed from each cell.
Each cell has a door with bars which can be locked or open depending on the time of day and the whim of the police on duty. Cleaning occurs twice daily and meals are also delivered twice daily except for Sundays, requiring that the cells are locked at these times.
Vending Machine – Between the main gate and the Police office was a vending machine operated by one of the “inmates” – this was a job highly prized, as the operator assisted the police in other duties and had certain privileges awarded – such as use of a mobile phone. On sale were hot drinks, tobacco and some basic food items, and money exchanged hands through the bars of the main gate. This worked well for those who had money, but also caused resentment for those not so fortunate.
Free Meals – lunchtime and early evening – were delivered from outside in containers and were generally adequate, although there were cases of unfair distribution. I always had in mind the image of animals at the zoo being fed through the bars of their cages – very similar. The best meal of rhe week was delivered on Sundays courtesy of the Church (Greek Orthodox? – I never found out) which consisted of a portion of chicken on a bed of macaroni, with fresh bread. On this same day, we each received the princely sum of 5.80 euros which we could use to order in an evening meal from outside.
Each cell possesses a number of concrete beds, with one mattress and blanket supplied, and about 1 metre apart. Iron bars prevent further access to either corridor. Inside the cells, there is no lighting or any power points – just bare walls. Possessions are kept in plastic bags beside the bed, and anything valuable (money, phonecards, tobacco etc.) are at all times kept on your person.
Outside the cells, in the connecting corridor, there are no seating areas anywhere, no TV, no access to any “news” and the only communications allowed are outgoing phonecalls on Payphones (only one of which was working in my time there)
There are no views, no windows, and no access to the outside for exercise or fresh air.
The communal toilets are very basic and often not clean: the shower facilities are not private and there is no hot water.
At night, powerful lights – from the corridor not in use – light up the cells and make sleep very difficult.
Shouting matches between angry police officers and inmates were frequent, leading to the indiscriminate locking of cells, and in some cases, physical violence.
There were many cases of bullying and fighting between inmates – usually because of a theft of some item such as a phonecard or tobacco – but there was usually no intervention by the police on duty.
There was constant noise, and shouting up until 2 a.m. every day, and when it was quieter, normal conversations could be heard anywhere, making life very stressful.
Sleep was often disturbed by unwanted night-time visits or a new arrival to the cells – for example, drunks on a Saturday night. Even worse than sleep deprivation were the bedbugs – blood sucking little insects that emitted a bad smell when squashed. Every cell was infected with them, and together with attacks from silent mosquitoes, every inmate spent hours scratching at the bites. No medication was allowed, and no effective measures taken to fumigate the cells.

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Imprisoned in Greece

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Fellow Inmates, Special People

Introduction. Between 13th August 2025 and 12th December 2025, four months out of my life, I was incarcerated by the Greek state in three separate facilities: Alikarnassos Prison in Heraklion (5 weeks), Agia Farm Prison Chania (one week awaiting trial) and the Central Heraklion Police Department, which houses a Detention Centre in the basement of the building (11 weeks)

The reasons for my detention are covered by my other blog posts: this blog is dedicated to the special people (fellow inmates) that I met during this period.

It is often said that in times of crisis and despair, in this case captivity, that true human nature emerges, where inmates are forced to live together in a closed environment. I was very fortunate and privileged to meet and to be able to help a number of fellow “prisoners”, who have since become friends and colleagues.

Background. In the prison environment, where facilities and individual treatment are governed by international law, and a prisoner is allocated a cell with two or three others, life was much easier than the inhumane and unacceptable conditions applying to those seeking residency status in the Detention Centre in the basement of the Heraklion Police Department. The Greek authorities use the Heraklion Police Centre Building “Holding Cells” – which are meant to be a temporary detention facility – for detaining immigration and residency cases (boat people and others looking for a better life in Europe). It was like a United Nations, with travellers from Africa, the Middle East, Nepal, Pakistan and other countries. These detention periods are not temporary periods – they can last for six months and more, and in my opinion far exceed the periods acceptable under International Law and Human Rights guidelines.

My Views on Immigration Greece is used as a gateway to Europe by many from third world countries (for asylum or economic reasons). Previously, I had been anti-immigration, but having met many of these brave and dedicated young men who risk a great deal in making dangerous journeys at great cost, I have changed my mind. I admire their courage, work ethic and optimism, and would be proud to be associated with them outside of captivity. Any society should be happy to integrate with people of such resolve and personal values.

My Views On the Greek Law relating to “Domestic Violence” One of the most ridiculous laws to make the Greek statute books. We all appreciate that women were in the past disadvantaged, but for some years now, any woman in Greece can contact the police to report domestic “abuse” and the man accused – rightly or wrongly – is immediately arrested and charged on unsubstantiated and “hearsay” evidence. No proof is required. There must have been at least 20 people charged with this “offence” in the time that I was detained at the Heraklion Police Centre – more than those awaiting trial for drug offences (which was the second largest category of crime). I discussed this with Greeks and others who had suffered this injustice, and we came to the conclusion that Greece is effectively destroying its own social structure.

Special People I have listed all the people that were important to me in the order that I met them. English was our language of communication – mainly because the alternatives were Greek (basic knowledge) and Arabic (no knowledge). In the Detention Centre, i was by far the oldest person, and in some cases I was able to help financially and offer advice to those younger than myself. I have included the surname where possible…

Theodorakis Kakouris – Alikarnassos Shared the same cell with me – No. 65 (along with a Pakistani called Iqbal who was serving a life sentence and was the prison electrician). From Athens, married and in his early 50s. Theo spoke excellent English and had travelled a good deal, with many interesting experiences. We spent many hours discussing a wide variety of issues, including esoteric matters, the Masons and Formula 1 (Ferrari of course…). I do not know whether he has been released yet, but I hope he keeps in touch.
David Sieme – Alikarnassos There were only two people from the UK in this prison, and he was the other one. In his sixties, and like me, he had come to Crete to retire. He had a home in the South of Crete – and a dog – and he was still paying rent. His cell was next to mine, M3, and he had been in the prison for six months when I left. Badly beaten up by police officers when he was arrested, he nearly died on the operating table in Heraklion General Hospital – the subject of an appalling miscarriage of Greek justice which I will be reporting on in another blog. He is almost certainly still there…
Yusuf the Turk – Alikarnassos. Yusuf spoke some English, and was serving a long sentence which I understood to be politically motivated. A former special services operative in Turkey and a bodyguard, he had gone into the marine business near Bodrum, but was arrested in Greek waters for some reason which was not entirely clear to me. An interesting character, about 60 years old.
Chris “X” – Chania. Chris is from Sweden and in his 30s. Very tall with wild piercing eyes, he had been in prison for 16 months without a formal charge. He had come to Crete for a few months of work wiith a local construction company as part of his work experience. Another subject of a gross miscarriage of Greek justice, he had a court case coming up, and we discussed at length how he should proceed with his defence/evidence. I hope he was released – a good person who could not understand why he was ever sent to prison.
Mohammed “X” – Heraklion Detention . From Cairo, Egypt, and wanted to get to Italy. About 30, tall and a natural comedian, he had the respect of many of the “inmates” and helped to keep order. He spoke very little English, and had no money, but we got on well and I helped him out financially. He was set free before I left, and I hope he made it to Italy.
Dominic Andre Langer – Heraklion Detention . A truly fascinating individual, Dominic was in his mid 40s, with a father from Switzerland and a mother from Colombia. A modern “hippy”, with previous prison sentences in Spain for reasons that were not entirely divulged, he had decided to come to Crete from Switzerland for a sabbatical on the beach for a few months, but had been arrested after losing his id and passport. His English was ok, and we had long and interesting talks about many esoteric subjects. I helped him financially and discussed his future plans – he was deported to Switzerland before I was released, and I hope he keeps in touch.
George X – Heraklion Detention. George was a Greek truck driver from Heraklion in his 40s and was arrested when a jealous ex-partner made unsubstantiated allegations of domestic violence. He spoke good English, and was terrified of life in prison if he were found guilty, and so I gave him some advice. He was so insecure that he asked if I could move my bed and sleep next to him, which I agreed to do. He was given a short sentence in one of the Athens prisons, having been let down by his lawyer – a common occurrence in Greece.
Ripesh D. Guru – Heraklion Detention. About 25 years old and from Nepal, Ripesh is a charming individual who speaks excellent English. He told me I reminded him of his grandfather, and I said I would be proud to consider him an honorary grandson. He arranged for me to move to his cell (A5) which made life more comfortable for me. We had hours of interesting conversations, about his reasons for leaving Nepal, his plans for the future and about his homeland. He is now in Barcelona, Spain having been released some weeks before me, and we are in touch!
Sunziv Moktan – Heraklion Detention. About 30 years old and also from Nepal, he and Ripesh were like brothers. An extremely nice and more serious individual, with a sister working nearby, which meant that he could organise his imprisonment a little better by asking her for “supplies”. He was released at the same time as Ripesh, and is now happily in France. We are in touch!
Alhaji Sununu Conteh – Heraklion Detention About 30 years old and married, Alhaji had made the perilous journey from Sierra Leone with his wife – who was kept in a separate holding cell in the same detention centre. I admired his intelligence and calmness, and had several converstaions with him about the possibility of starting a PV solar business in Freetown, Sierra Leone. When he was released some weeks before me, in typical Greek style, his wife was kept in detention for another day – which was totally unnecessary. They went to Athens to find work in Greece, and I hope he remains in touch.
Akon – Heraklion Detention – My apologies to Akon for not having full details of his name. Also from Sierra Leone, he was like a brother to Alhaji, about the same age and they had shared similar experiences. Outwardly more extrovert, he was a charming character with spiky hair. Prior to my arrival, he and Alajhi, Ripesh and Sunziv had invested in a pack of cards, which became a lifesaver for me. I have them to this day, and remember the hours spent playing various games – there was no other “entertainment”. Akon was released at the same time as Alhaji, and I believe also went to the Athens “Camp” to find work.
Mohamed Al-Kurdi – Heraklion Detention Only 20 years old, Mohamed has had an eventful life: originally from Syria, he escaped the war there with his mother and two brothers at age 15, and lived in Turkey with relatives. If that was not enough danger, his town in Turkey was then the epicentre of the mega earthquake of 2023, and he was responsible for his family’s survival and safety after their home had been completely demolished. He speaks English extremely well – he said he learnt from watching movies – and having decided to leave Turkey in search of a better life in Germany, he went on the hazardous boat crossing to the Greek island of Kos, from where he travelled to Athens. Unfortunately for him, his journey ended at Heraklion airport where his “papers” failed inspection. He is highly intelligent, and he became my second “honorary grandson”. Apart from wide ranging discussions on Middle Eastern politics, and religion, we talked about life in general, and my experiences were helpful to him. Unfortunately for Mohamed (or fortunately as it turned out), he developed a very nasty and painful skin infection, which eventually led to his hospitalisation and then early release – some weeks before my release date. I am glad to say that within a few weeks he had managed to get to Germany, and we are now in regular contact.
Ismael – Heraklion Detention In his very early 20s, Ismael is from Guinea and speaks good English. Always cheerful, and positive he was one of my original “cellmates” in cell A1, which became the Africa Cell. He and I were two of the longest serving “detainees” and he was still there when I left on 12th December – but I hope he now has his freedom.
O’Shoum – Heraklion Detention – Shoum was 22, and had left Egypt to find work in Greece. A very nice individual, he had come to our Cell to avoid some of the more unpleasant Egyptians who had taken over Cell A2. When Mohamed Al-Kurdi was released, he took over my “protection” duty in the adjacent bed. His English was not great but we could communicate in basic Greek: he taught me a new card game which definitely helped to pass the time. He was financially OK and kept in regular touch with his family via payphone. He also had a medical problem, which was very painful, and had meant a visit to Heraklion main hospital (accompanied of course by a police escort, and in handcuffs) but this led to his early release the day before mine. Unfortunately, the release was so sudden that I could not confirm his full name and contact details, but I think he was “deported” back to Egypt, and I hope he is now OK
Zai – Heraklion Detention. Zai (not his full name) was the one detainee I felt most sorry for. Totally unsuited to imprisonment, he had lived in Crete for some years, had regular work and was paying rent, and supporting his wife and children back in Afghanistan. When he arrived in our Cell, he had no money, and was involved in a fight with a particularly unpleasant Pakistani within a couple of days of arriving. About 30 years old and a very honest and likeable character, he soon learnt that “friends” outside – who owed him money – were not friends. I taught him to play Patience (the card game) and helped support him financially as much as I could. I hope he manages to survive this unpleasant experience and get free again. He was still imprisoned when I left, and unfortunately I did not get his contact details.

Please add any comments, particularly if your name is mentioned here. I would love to hear from you 🙂

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Tribunal Hearing – Myself v. Greek State Immigration

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Adapted Imaginary Cross-Examination (Civil Suit)
All names given apart from that of the Plaintiff are fictitious.
Case Title: Richard James Noble Warren v. The Hellenic Republic
Court: Administrative Court of Athens, Greece (Imaginary Jurisdiction)
Presiding Judge: The Honorable Judge Elena Papadopoulou
Defence Lawyer (for State): Mr. Konstantinos Demetriou
Plaintiff’s Lawyer (Applicant): Ms. Sophia Nikolaidis
Witness: Mr. Apostolos Georgiou, Immigration Official, Heraklion Immigration Centre, Heraklion, Crete
Cross-Examination by Ms. Nikolaidis (Plaintiff’s Counsel)

I. Establishing Authority and Policy

Q: Mr. Georgiou, as a member of the Hellenic Immigration Department, you are trained extensively on Greek Law and International Maritime Law and Greek Residency Requirements, correct?
A: Yes, we receive training.
Q: That training explicitly covers the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the rights of individuals under International Law?
A: Yes, we are aware of international conventions.
Q: You were aware of the difference between individuals arriving by sea who express a fear of persecution and have a right to apply for asylum, and individuals
who have resided in Greece for a number of years and who do not require asylum, were you not?
A: We are aware of the difference.
Q: You are a state official acting under the authority of the Hellenic Republic during the time of my client’s detention and subsequent imprisonment?
A: Yes.
Q: And you were one of the officers handling the case of Mr Warren?
A: Yes.
Q: And were you responsible for the decisions made? – in particular I refer you to documents dated 26th September 2025 and 29th September 2025 Exhibits A, B, C, D, E and F produced here in evidence, and handed to my client at the time of his detention at the Heraklion Police station?
A: Yes.
Q: I will be addressing the contents of these documents, but as I understand it, my client had no lawyer present since he had just been released from the prison Nea Alikarnassos in Heraklion Crete in the belief that he was free to return to his home. Why were the documents referred to written only in Greek?
A: There is no requirement to provide additional translations.
Q: Really? Mr Warren is a retired UK Citizen and 76 years old at the time of his detention: he can speak a little Greek, but he cannot read Greek and he made this clear at the time. Why did you not provide an English translation?
A: There is no requirement to provide additional translations.
Q: Really? Surely it is the right of every individual to have a translator or interpreter present and available? So it follows then that my client had no way of knowing at the time what he was charged with and the exact reasons for his immediate re-arrest and incarceration?
A: I followed the procedure I am trained to follow.
Q: Even though you would or should have been aware that my Client had no way of understanding why he had been imprisoned again?
A: He had the option to appoint a lawyer to represent him and translate the documents.
Q: He had just been released from one prison. He had very few clothes or personal possessions or access to his bank for funds, and was expecting to be returned to his home near Chania. How could he be expected to appoint and have a lawyer familiar with residency and immigration procedures present at such short notice?
A: That was not my concern.
Q: Obviously not….Was there any thought given to the age of my client, and his state of health?
A: I followed procedure.
Q: Did you know that apart from being 76 years old, Mr Warren was suffering from high blood pressure – Exhibit G – something that could have been easily checked from his medical records? The prison from which he had been released was supplying medication and he had visited Heraklion main hospital for tests a month previously?
A: No I was not aware of that.
Q: Not aware of that? Does not the age of the client and his state of health have a direct bearing on whatever punishment you decide to give out?
(Mr. Demetriou: Objection, argumentative.)
(Judge: Sustained.)
Q: I am sorry, Your Honour.
Q: Is it not normal practice in Greek Law for individuals over 75 years old to be given the option of Home Confinement rather than detention or imprisonment?
A: This is a Residency matter.
Q: So Greek Law does not apply? Would this not have been a more appropriate procedure to follow bearing in mind the age of Mr Warren?

II. The Detention/Imprisonment (Establishing Facts for Wrongful Imprisonment Claim)

Q: When a prisoner is released from a prison, in this case Nea Alikarnassos in Heraklion, the last part of the procedure is to take the prisoner to the nearest police station – in this case Heraklion Central Police station – for final clearances. Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: During his initial interview at about 12 midday on Friday 26th September 2025, my client was asked for his Greek Residency Permit. Is that correct?
A: Yes, that is standard procedure. He could not produce one.
Q: After legally and continuously living in Greece for five years, non-EU citizens can apply for a permanent residence permit. Mr Warren retired to Greece in 2012 and met all the criteria for a permanent residence permit, before Brexit occurred in 2019. Do you remember the reason given by my client for not having a Residency permit?
A: Yes. He said he was married to a Greek citizen.
Q: This answer would be a reasonable one, would it not? My client married a Greek citizen in 2015 and remains married to her in 2025 – 10 years?
A: The Residency rules have changed, and being married to a Greek citizen is no longer an acceptable reason for automatic rights of Residency in Greece.
Q: The Greek Laws change all the time, do they not? Common sense would surely dictate that being married to a Greek citizen would at the very least assist in the procedure?
(Mr. Demetriou [State Counsel]: Objection, The witness has no need to respond – conjecture…)
(Judge: Greek Law and the application of Common Sense is not on trial here.)
Q. Thank you for clearing that up, Your Honour. Let me re-phrase the question. My client may have been guilty of not keeping up with Greek Residency requirements,
but would you not agree that he made an honest mistake?
A: I follow procedure and Mr Warren had no valid Residency permit. And there were other reasons to detain him.
Q: Ah, yes, thank you for mentioning that. What were the other reasons?
A: He had three convictions, two for domestic violence and one for having a shotgun on his premises.
Q: So, just to be clear, on the basis of these convictions, you judged him to be – and I quote from your document dated 29th September 2025, Exhibit D in Greek – a “danger
to the people of Heraklion” and my client was a subject for immediate deportation?
A: Yes, that is correct.
Q: So why was he not immediately deported?
A: There was a problem with his Passport which had expired.
Q: Yes, and would you not agree that letting a passport expire is not a crime or in any way illegal.?
A: I would agree.
Q: Is it the case that without a valid passport, Mr Warren could not actually be deported?
A: Yes, that is correct
Q: So your solution – some would say punishment – was to lock up this “dangerous old man” until further notice until the appropriate travel documents could be obtained.
But there was no way Mr Warren could renew his passport if he was in “detention” was there? So in reality, he could have remained locked up indefinitely?
A: In principle, that is correct.
Q: Did Mr Warren appeal against the deportation? Do you remember the reasons?
A: Not as far as I am aware.
Q. Really? Let me refresh your memory. Mr Warren had made his life on Crete since leaving the UK retiring here in 2012, a life which would have been totally destroyed if an immediate deportation was enforced. The second reason he gave was his desire to clear his name and overturn the convictions you mention with a court appearance – effectively a re-trial – due in Chania on 21st October 2025 – please refer to Exhibit H. Do you remember those reasons?
A: Not specifically, no.
Q: Let me refresh your memory: my client’s lawyer at the time – a Mr Manolis Kritzsas, a lawyer based in Heraklion – was contacted by my client during his “interview” on 26th September 2025 and spoke to a member of your staff, specifically mentioning the upcoming retrial on 21st October 2025. Do you have a note of that conversation?
A: No
Q: And I thought all calls were recorded and all interviews transcribed? Is this correct?
A: It depends how busy we are at the time.
Q: So are you saying that there were no transcriptions or call recordings made for the interview of Mr Warren on 26th September 2025?
A: Not as such.
Q: I see. Let us now turn to the convictions upon which you based your decision to incarcerate Mr Warren, apparently a “danger to the public of Heraklion”. On 23rd August 2025, lawyers for my client made a successful application in the Court at Chania to annul the previous decisions/convictions, due to the fact that Mr Warren had not been properly summoned as all the relevant court documentation had never been received by my client as they had been sent to a previous residential address. Were you aware of this?
A: No
Q: You should have been aware, surely? Did you not check all the facts and the Court appearance dates for Mr Warren’s case?
A: Not specifically – we relied on police records.
Q. So you made your “deportation” decision based upon inaccurate information, without having checked if these “convictions” were actually safe?
A: I was doing my job based upon the evidence I had.
Q. Why was Mr Warren not allowed to attend the court in Chania on the 21st October 2025? A re-trial which would have given him the opportunity to quash these previous “convictions” on which you based your deportation decision and subsequent detention order?
A: We received no request for Mr Warren to attend that hearing.
Q: Really? Mr Kritzas – Mr Warren’s lawyer at the time – says that he had informed you, but that you or your department had turned down his request. Is that true?
A: Not to my knowledge.

III. Violations of International/Human Rights Law (The Core Claims)

Q: The action of detaining my client in a closed facility without judicial review violates specific EU Directives and the European Convention on Human Rights, does it not?
(Mr. Demetriou: Objection, calls for a legal conclusion from a lay witness.)
(Judge: Sustained. Rephrase the question, Ms. Nikolaidis.)
Q: Are you aware of the conditions and lack of facilities within the Detention Centre in the basement of the main Heraklion Police Station?
A: Yes.
Q: You could hardly have said “no” could you? Your offices are on the first floor of the same building, are they not? Have you actually stayed in one of the cells for a prolonged period?
(Mr. Demetriou [State Counsel]: Objection, The witness has no need to respond…)
(Judge: Where are you going with this line of questioning?.)
Q. Your Honour, I want to emphasize the extraordinary injustice perpetrated on my client, a 76 year old Englishman of good character with little knowledge of the Greek Language, who was unjustly imprisoned for a period between 26th September and 12th December 2025 in a wholly unsuitable detention facility, where his personal health and safety was at high risk and his personal possessions under direct threat, while outside, his life in Crete was being destroyed as a direct result of his detention.
Q: The detention centre in the basement of the police building is a detention centre, and not a prison, correct? And are you aware of the legal requirements for and the differences between a detention centre – or police holding cell – and a Prison?
A: Yes
Q: A prison has to meet certain standards in International Law and Human Rights legislation – for example, exercise areas. I am sure we can access some Guidelines if you wish. Are you familiar with the differences?
A: I am familiar.
Q: Good. Would you agree that a Holding Cell in a police station – and there are at least 11 holding cells in this particular building which can house up to 60 “detainees” in total – is intended for individuals awaiting criminal trial or held overnght for minor offences? It is by definition a temporary measure?
A: Yes I would agree.
Q. So days rather than months?
Q. I can see you have difficulty answering that question. So let me ask another question. Are you using this “temporary” facility for holding immigration “workers” and asylum seekers who either do not have or who have falsified their visas and/or other residency paperwork?
A: Yes, we do also detain these people.
Q: So this “facility” holds various criminals – drug abusers, drug dealers, drunkards, mental health cases and others awaiting trial – as well as a large number of desperate young men from various third world countries seeking asylum and/or residency permits, and with little or no money?
A: Yes
Q: Taking the second category – let’s call them “immigration seekers” – how long do they remain on average in this detention centre?
A: It depends on the individual and his circumstances.
Q: Is it not the case that individuals can be kept in this wholly unsuitable environment for three months and more?
A; The average detention is about 50 days.
Q: Yes – and there are cases of six months detention. Is this period of time in a wholly unsuitable environment against EU directives and International Law?
(Mr. Demetriou: Objection, calls for an opinion from a lay witness.)
(Judge: Sustained. Rephrase the question, Ms. Nikolaidis.)
Q: Of course, Your Honour. That would be something to be investigated outside of these proceedings. I understand that all inmates are searched before being processed into the cells: shoelaces and belts are removed, and all communication devices such as mobile phones and most other personal effects. Is that correct?
A: Yes, that is standard procedure.
Q: What communication channels are available to inmates?
A: There are payphones operated with phonecards for outgoing phone calls.
Q: And the phonecards need to be purchased? And the call rates to mobiles – even Greek mobiles – are expensive?
A: That is standard procedure in prisons.
Q: Is it not the case that many of the phones do not work, it is almost impossible to hear the other party, there is a long queue for working phones and calls are not private?
A: I am not sure about the condition of the payphones in that facility.
Q: And incoming calls are not allowed?
A: No, but lawyers can visit at any time.
Q: I imagine that very few of the immigration inmates can afford to hire a lawyer. So there is no access to the internet allowed and no way of getting any information apart from by using the payphones?
A: No
Q: If an inmate does not have an immigration lawyer appointed to assist him, how can he find out any information about his own case? Can he request a meeting with
an immigration officer and how would he do that?
A; Yes, he can always request a meeting through the police officers on duty at the time.
Q: Really? Is it not true that the police officers have many other duties, and requests from inmates for help and information have a very low priority?
A: I cannot comment on the system in operation at this police station.
Q: I am glad that you have clarified that. One of the documents that you supplied my client at the very beginning of his confinement was a one page document – actually printed in English. We have the document as Exhibits E and F, if you need to refer to it. Amongst other information, this document has a space available for the name of the liaison officer appointed to provide information on individual cases. Why was this space left blank, with no liaison details?
A: I cannot comment on that.
Q: According to my client, who checked with other inmates, none of the corresponding documents had a name supplied. When my client mentioned this to one of the
police officers, there was a certain amount of laughter generated. Is it not the truth that any communication between your office and prisoners is almost impossible
and strictly discouraged?
A: I cannot comment. We always communicate with any lawyers appointed.
Q: Let me summarise. Any inmate who cannot afford the services of an immigration lawyer – always assuming that it would be posssible in any event to organise this by using a Payphone – is devoid of any method of communication, apart from the Payphone (if working) and is wholly dependant on the goodwill of the police officers on duty at the time. Obtaining any information about particular cases is next to impossible. Would that be a fair summary?
A: I cannot comment on the attitude and helpfulness or otherwise of the police officers on duty.
Q. Within this “facility”, there are no tables and chairs, no seating areas, the only “private” area for an inmate is his concrete bed with a thin mattress and any blankets that can be obtained, this bed being less than one meter from the adjoining bed. There is no privacy whatsoever, and conversations can be heard throughout the cells. The noise generated is unbearably loud and can continue from early morning to 2 or 3 am every day. Fights constantly break out and money and possessions are stolen regularly since there is no privacy between cells and the police are not minded to intervene. Sometimes cells are locked for many hours, which means that my elderly client had to perform his ablutions into empty bottles. Toilets – when available and clean – are the most basic and there is no hot water. Are any of these facts inaccurate?
A: I have no comment.
Q: In that case, I will assume that you accept the deplorable conditions under which my client was forced to exist for 11 weeks during which time he knew that his life in Crete – built up over 13 years – was being destroyed. On 17th November 2025, Mr Warren, in desperation, wrote out a complaint in longhand, and a few days later managed to get the document sent to the email address appearing at the bottom of this document (Exhibit J). Can you confirm whether you or your department received this complaint?
A: I cannot confirm this.
Q: Well, let’s assume that somebody did receive it. Did this have any bearing on his release some weeks later?
A: Not to my knowledge.
Q: I want to try and understand why you thought it was “appropriate” to incarcerate Mr Warren in this detention centre – for 11 weeks as it turned out rather than indefinitely – as opposed to the obvious humane and sensible decision of home confinement or to let him go with a warning that he could face deportation if his application for residency failed. I believe that prison (rather than a detention centre) was not an option as technically he had committed no crime – is that correct?
A: Yes – he could not be sent to prison.
Q: And since you wanted to deport him, he was hardly a “flight risk” was he, without a valid passport?
A: No
Q: So your reason for detaining him in this inhumane facility was that you considered him to be a danger to the “people of Heraklion”? Even though he had been released from prison following his trial at the Chania Court on 24th September 2025? Do you think he would have been released if the Judge in Chania thought him to be a “danger to the public”?
A: That was my assessment.
Q: So without any direct knowledge of the charges which Mr Warren faced – and was subsequently acquitted from by re-trial on February 10th 2026 where the sentence was reduced to a suspended sentence only – and which he should have been able to attend much earlier on October 21st 2025) – at the Chania Court of instance, you thought that you knew better than the presiding judges on the Chania Court circuit?
A: No comment.
Q: Mr Warren is – or was – a respected member of his community, he did not need to work and he was not looking for a job, having supported the Greek economy for many
years, he was 76 years old and not in the best of health. Please explain why he was incarcerated with a large number of aggressive young men in their 20s from third world countries, who had nothing in common with my client, and unlike my client, had nothing to lose? They had taken the risk of falsifying papers and/or had made an illegal entry into Greece, since they were looking for a new life and new opportunities?
A: This decision was made based upon the evidence we had at the time.
Q: Before summing up, I would like to know why Mr Warren was eventually released – Exhibit I dated 12th December. I put it to you that it was as a result of his e-mailed complaint dated 17th November and the realisation that a grave miscarriage of justice had occurred – would you agree?
A: I cannot comment on the reasons for his release.
Q: Let me assist you. According to this document, my client was released pursuant to “paragraph 2 of Article 10 of Law 5226/2025” – is this correct?
A: Yes
Q: Paragraph 2 of Article 10 of the Government Gazette of the Hellenic Republic (ΕΦΗΜΕΡΙΔΑ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΒΕΡΝΗΣΕΩΣ) document – states: “The police authorities responsible for the execution of the return decision may, by their reasoned decision, postpone the removal for a reasonable period of time, taking into account the specific circumstances of each case and in particular:
a) when there are proven serious health problems of the person concerned
circumstances that make immediate removal disproportionate or dangerous,
b) the impossibility of immediate removal, due to the objective impossibility
of establishing identity and
c) for technical reasons, such as the lack of means of transport.”
Which of these special circumstances applied to Mr Warren?
A: I cannot comment.
Q: Let me help you – it was either on (a) Health grounds, (b) Establishing Identity or (c) Lack of transport. (b) and (c) would seem to be not relevant to Mr Warren, which leaves only his health as the official reason for his release. Would you agree?
A: No comment
Q: If the pre-existing health of my client was the reason for his release, why was he detained in the first instance and made to spend 11 weeks in this hell-hole of a Detention Centre?
(Mr. Demetriou: Objection, badgering the witness.)
(Judge: Sustained.)
Q: Moving on, Your Honour. The release document handed to Mr Warren (Exhibit I dated 12th December) orders Mr Warren to “remain at the address he will responsibly declare to the Heraklion Immigration Directorate (Υ.Δ.Ε.Ε.)” But Mr Warren explained to the immigration official delivering this document that he had no current address as a direct result of his prolonged detainment. The additional time he was incarcerated resulted in his eviction from his rented home in Xirosterni, the loss of many of his personal possessions and the destruction of his private life. Why was he not then detained further for being unable to comply with this “order”, as clearly required in the release document?
A: I cannot comment on that.
Q: I would like to bring to the Court’s attention the Legal Case referred to as B.F. v. Greece (2025): A European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) judgment establishing that Greek police stations are “by nature unsuitable for long-term detention” due to lack of basic amenities and outdoor access. Could it be that the Greek Immigration authorities had finally realised – although it took them the best part of two months – that a serious miscarriage of justice had occurred which necessitated Mr Warren’s immediate release?

IV. Conclusion

Q: My client was 76 years old at the time of his confinement, and suffering from high blood pressure, which would be exacerbated by further imprisonment. It was not necessary to incarcerate him in a facility which is totally unsuitable – if not illegal – under international law. Surely the correct and reasonable thing to have done was what you did 11 weeks later – give him six months to sort out his residency status?
A: I followed procedure.
Q: You followed procedure? Was this not a complete abuse of your power? Did you not appreciate the irreversible damage this imprisonment would do to his life in Crete?
A: This was not my concern.
Q: Did you really believe that an old man would be a “danger to the people of Heraklion”
A: That was what I believed.
Q: Is it not the case that you and your department acted with no regard to my client’s human rights and your decision to incarcerate him in a totally unsuitable facility was wholly inappropriate and was based upon incorrect information? You were negligent and unprofessional and more interested in punishing an old man from the UK who you believed to be guilty of the ridiculous and biased domestic violence legislation in Greece, where women can make any sort of unsubstantiated claim against men.
You also failed to follow international law regarding his human rights and you took no account of his age and state of health and the likelihood of bullying and harassment and threats to his personal safety in this wholly unsuitable and dangerous “detention facility”. Thanks to you and your department, he has suffered huge amounts of stress, his life in Crete has needlessly been destroyed, he has lost a substantial amount of money by the forced sale of those personal possessions that remain, and his reputation has also been destroyed.
A: I followed my orders and training as best I could.
Q: Thank you, Mr. Georgiou. No further questions, Your Honor.

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