NEWS

Nearly 1,700 returned to native countries from Greece in April

Nearly 1,700 returned to native countries from Greece in April

A total of 1,694 third-country nationals were deported or returned to their native country from all areas of Greece in April under operational planning to combat irregular migration, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) announced on Thursday.

These were based either on return and deportation orders for illegal entry into Greece, the voluntary repatriation programmes operated by the International Organisation for Migration or the forced returns and voluntary departures overseen by ELAS services.

The greatest number of returns were to Albania (852), followed by Pakistan (157), Morocco (107), Iran (61), Georgia (51), Afghanistan (45) and Bangladesh (29). A total of 6,427 third-country nationals have been returned to their country of origin since the start of the year, ELAS said.