Greece passes draconian legislation with prison terms for rejected asylum seekers

Move reflects government's continuing attempts to deter undocumented migrants after surge in arrivals this year

Greece has passed draconian legislation that foresees rejected asylum seekers receiving prison terms, fines and orders to wear ankle tags in a move that reflects the centre-right government's continued attempts to deter undocumented migrants from arriving on its soil.

The tough penalties usher in an unprecedented era of zero tolerance for people who remain in the country if their asylum claims are denied. As a frontier state, long viewed as a gateway to Europe, Greece has had a surge in migrant arrivals this year.