The respondent described being detected by thermal imaging cameras

The respondent is a 25-year-old man from Afghanistan. On the 29th of March 2025, he was walking with a transit group of about 20-25 people in a forest near Yarlovtsi village in Bulgaria. After crossing into Serbia, the respondent explained that he suspected his GPS was being tracked, as well as the GPS of the other two group members. The respondent said that he had also seen someone using telescopes, believed to be Serbian authorities. He also believed the transit group had been detected by thermal imaging cameras. 

Shortly after the transit group reached a location near Vuči Del in Serbia, the respondent recounted that a vehicle appeared, recognised as a police vehicle. About 8 men, described by the interviewee as police officers, apprehended the group. The witness was then beaten by the authorities. The officers only exercised physical violence toward those who possessed the tracked GPS, the respondent explained. In fact, he described that only he and the other two people with GPS were deprived of their phones, which were immediately destroyed by the authorities. Afterwards, the respondent was taken to Pirot police station, where he was subject to an eye scanner. He was detained for around 3 days, during which he received poor quantities of food and water. 

According to him, the respondent would have needed to pay a bribe of 400 euros to the police officer to be released. Since he was left by the authorities outside Pirot camp, which was close, he had no choice but to take a taxi to Belgrade.