Greek Intelligence located alleged ISIS member, accuses Hungary of treachery
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
Regarding the case of the Syrian citizen Farhoud Hassan, arrested by the Hungarian authorities in December 2018, the Greek Intelligence Service EYP, released the following statement:
1. Farhoud Hassan is a subject of investigation for all intelligence services since July 2018, when the Belgian Service transmitted unconfirmed and vague information regarding an individual with non specific personal data. According to this information the above mentioned individual resided in Greece, allegedly was involved in extremist activity as a member of the terrorist organization DAESH.
2. ΕΥP is the first Service that located and identified the above mentioned individual as Farhoud Hassan in August 2018, immediately informing its international partners. Since then and despite the constant and in depth investigations, no involvement in extremist activities was established. In addition, our Service never received information proving Farhoud Hassan’s involvement in terrorist networks.
3. Syrian citizen named Farhoud Hassan entered illegally Leros island on 27/02/2016, a period during which illegal migration flows were extremely large. During his entrance and registration as illegal migrant, he was debriefed by the Greek and International authorities (FRONTEX, EUROPOL) which operate in the registration centers. During his debriefing, no incriminating indications were found. It should be noted that, since the date of his arrival until July 2018, no European or other Services transmitted information or data proving his involvement in extremist activity.
4. The above mentioned individual was granted asylum in 27/10/2017 by the Asylum Service according to the European legislative framework for asylum granting which has been integrated in Greek legislation.
5. It is noted that the asylum status given to individuals that come from the war zones of the Middle East, is regulated by the Ιnternational Treaties which are respected by all countries of the European Union. Τhe prerequisites for granting asylum are ruled by the International Geneva Convention (1951) and the relevant European legislative framework regarding the status of refugees. Moreover, granting of asylum is not based on deliberate decisions and interpretations or on autonomous actions. Greek legislation has adopted the International Geneva Convention regarding the refugee’s status as it is defined by the relevant regulations and directives of European Union, which are integrated in the Greek legislation.
6. All references in the Greek and international mass media alleging that Farhoud Hassan used to be collaborating with our Service, originate from Hungarian press releases. The Hungarian Intelligence Service engaged to reproduce the Farhoud Hassan’s claim without notifying the Greek Intelligence Service in order to be aware of our standpoint. What is more, TEK underestimated the commonly-known tactic followed by detainees who claim to be collaborators of various Intelligence and Security Services in order to gain favorable treatment.
7. It is unambiguous that Farhoud Hassan has been a target for the Greek Intelligence Service and the investigation regarding his activities as part of criminal human trafficking networks is still in progress.
8. It is distressing that terrorism issues are being exploited upon political purposes and needs. Such tactics threaten the cooperation and the work that the European Intelligence and Security Services jointly conduct to fight terrorism.
