Russian monk arrested in Greece for illegal stay on Mount Athos
This was reported by Hristianstvo.bg with reference to Greek Reporter.
He was detained at Thessaloniki airport while attempting to travel to Istanbul with a final destination in Moscow. Airport officials discovered that he lacked valid travel documents proving his legal stay in Greece.
According to police sources, the monk had first entered Greece in early 2022 with a two-month residence permit. When it expired, he obtained a three-day entry permit for Mount Athos but never left. He reportedly remained there for an additional three years.
“I intended to return to my country in 2022, but I couldn’t find a ticket,” he told the court during his statement. “I’ve been living at the Monastery of Saint Panteleimon all these years. I just want to go home now,” he added, claiming he was unaware that he had committed an offense. “I thought I would just pay a fine,” he said.
The Misdemeanor Court of Thessaloniki found him guilty under Greece’s new immigration law, sentencing him to two years in prison and a €5,000 ($5,830) fine, without suspension or conversion to a monetary penalty. However, under Greek law, the sentence is not enforced if the convicted person voluntarily agrees to return to their country of origin. The monk confirmed in court that he wished to repatriate immediately.
According to a Greek publication, Greece has tightened its migration laws with new sanctions and detentions as of early September. The law, officially titled “Reform of the Framework and Procedures for the Return of Third-Country Nationals and Other Provisions of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum,” brings comprehensive changes to the country's migration policy.
A key aspect of this legislation is the criminalization of illegal residence in Greece. Foreign citizens found to be in the country without legal permission may face prison sentences ranging from two to five years, along with a minimum fine of €5,000. Additionally, the law repeals a previous provision that permitted migrants to apply for legal residence after seven years of continuous illegal stay. Furthermore, the government is strengthening the regulations on repeated asylum requests, aiming to curb potential abuses of the system.
