BBC investigation raises serious claims
A major investigation by the BBC has raised fresh concerns over Greece’s migrant pushbacks, alleging that authorities recruited migrants to forcibly return others across the border with Turkey.
According to the report, internal police documents and testimonies suggest that the practice has been in place since at least 2020 and was overseen by senior officers.
Pushbacks – the forced return of migrants without due process – are widely considered illegal under international law.
Claims of violence and abuse
The Greece migrant pushback allegations include reports of severe mistreatment, with witnesses describing migrants being stripped, robbed, beaten and, in some cases, sexually assaulted.
Testimonies gathered from migrants, former operatives, and police sources describe extreme violence during operations along the Evros River, which marks the land border between Greece and Turkey.
One internal account cited in the investigation alleged that female migrants had been subjected to sexual violence, while others reported beatings and threats.
Use of “mercenaries” at the border
The report claims that migrants from countries such as Pakistan, Syria and Afghanistan were recruited as so-called “mercenaries” to carry out pushbacks.
In return, they were allegedly given money, confiscated valuables or documents allowing passage through Greece.
Evidence cited includes witness testimonies, leaked transcripts and findings from the Frontex Fundamental Rights Office, which previously reported incidents involving “third-country nationals” acting under instructions from Greek officers.
Greek government response
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “totally unaware” of the allegations when asked by the BBC.
Greek authorities have not provided detailed responses to the claims, while continuing to emphasise the need to protect national and European Union borders.
Frontex has denied ignoring rights violations, stating that it works to ensure lawful border management.
Human rights concerns
The Greek National Commission for Human Rights described the allegations as potentially “extremely significant” human rights abuses.
The commission has recorded more than 100 alleged pushback incidents in the Evros region since 2020, although it notes that reported cases have declined in recent years.
Ongoing scrutiny
The Greece migrant pushback issue remains under scrutiny as investigations and legal actions continue, including cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights.
The Evros border, a heavily monitored frontier of the European Union, continues to be a focal point in the broader debate over migration policy, border control and human rights obligations.
Source: BBC
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