Police in Greece have been accused of recruiting migrants to assist in forcibly pushing other migrants back into Türkiye, as detailed in a recent investigation. The practice, which reportedly involves the use of “mercenaries,” has been ongoing since at least 2020 and is overseen by senior police officers. Internal documents and witness testimonies reveal instances of severe violence, including robbery, beatings, and sexual assaults against migrants. The investigation was prompted by a video depicting mistreatment, and subsequent corroboration was found through various accounts from migrants, former mercenaries, and leaked police documents. Pushbacks, or the forced return of migrants without access to asylum processes, are considered illegal under international law. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated he was unaware of these practices, while local authorities have not commented on the allegations.
Why It Matters
Greece has faced significant challenges regarding migration, with over a million arrivals since 2015, largely through the Aegean Sea and the Evros River border. The Evros region is heavily militarized and is integral to the EU’s border security framework. Reports of pushbacks have been documented by multiple investigative organizations, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding human rights violations at the border. The EU’s Frontex agency, which is responsible for managing external borders, has also been implicated, as sources claim that knowledge of these pushbacks is widespread among border personnel. The recruitment of migrants as enforcers complicates the humanitarian crisis and raises ethical questions about the treatment of vulnerable populations.
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