Originally Posted by
bafan
He was assured it wasn’t recorded and wouldn’t be an issue if he tried to re-enter at a later date, or for any entry to any other EU country. So, fingers crossed.
And, he couldn’t walk away and try again, because he was taken away for questioning before being released into the departure area for the night.
So, officially at least, he wasn't refused entry, merely encouraged to change his mind about seeking entry - so returning voluntarily to the departure area overnight?
An interesting type of prisoner's dilemma - as presumably he could have said - either formally refuse me or let me in. A high-stakes game of chicken, I expect it would work if e.g. a relatively junior officer wanted to refuse him, but his superior would not sign off on it, causing this "face-saving" plan to be hatched.
Full rules are here -
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/399/oj/eng - the relevant part is that someone seeking entry must
justify the purpose and conditions of the intended stay, and they have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third country into which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully;
The immigration officer accepted the passenger is flying onwards on a discount ticket the next morning, so the purpose of the stay is to sleep overnight before the flight. Absolutely ridiculous decision.