Oxford University researchers documented 112 deaths of foreign nationals in Greek custody since 2000, with 34 absent from police figures supplied to them, exposing gaps in the data available to the research team.
Reuters reported Tuesday that the team built its dataset from police figures obtained through freedom of information requests, alongside international monitoring reports, news accounts and testimony. Journalists, nongovernmental organizations and monitors documented the 34 cases missing from the figures provided to the researchers.
The research counted 44 suicides among the deaths. Its authors also reported serious barriers to health care for people in detention, including at facilities receiving European Union funding.
In a 2026 report, the Council of Europe's anti-torture committee said deaths in Greek police custody had risen. It said some could have been prevented through closer supervision and better access to psychiatric and other medical care.
Greece told the committee it was taking steps through a 2025-2030 plan focused on detention conditions, prisoners' rights, staffing and overcrowding. Reuters reported that the Greek government and police ministry had not immediately responded to requests for comment on the researchers' findings.
