Mitarakis calls on islands affected by migration to apply for compensation

In an effort to mitigate the reactions by local communities to a government plan to expropriate land on the islands of the North Aegean and build new detention centres for migrants and refugees, Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis sent a letter to island mayors asking them to list damages to property caused to migration to receive compensation.

According to the ministry, the mayors of the islands hosting overcrowded camps should record in detail the damages caused in 2019 within their municipal boundaries by those living in the camps by 30 March.

Relations between regional authorities and the ministry have progressively soured, with the council of the North Aegean Region on Tuesday voting to take legal action against a legislative act to expropriate land and properties on Lesvos, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros for the creation of closed centers for asylum seekers.