Images show Greek authorities illegally deporting migrants to Turkey

Duvar English

The German magazine Der Spiegel has published images that depict the Greek authorities illegally deporting migrants.

The Greek government has repeatedly denied the illegal deportation of migrants from its border back into Turkey, the magazine stated in its report, however it revealed videos that it received that depict thatmigrants being illegally sent back into Turkey via boats across the Maritsa River, which divides the Greek/Turkish border. 

Crossing the Maritsa from Turkey into a Greece is a common route that migrants often attempt to traverse in order to get into EU territory with the hopes of leaving Greece for wealthier EU countries. Greece has absorbed high numbers of migrants who have been unsuccessful in leaving the country, and many live in camps in cities and on the islands.  

A team of six consisting of active military personnel and former policeman routinely conduct this procedure, Der Spiegel claimed in its report. In the videos, it is clear that many of the migrants are from either Afghanistan or Pakistan because Pashto, a language common in certain parts of both countries, is heard being spoken. A masked person in the video is also heard speaking English with a Greek accent. 

The report indicated that this style of deportation is in both violation of EU human rights and the Geneva Convention. Der Spiegel also reported in November that Greece illegally deported up to 60,000 migrants back to Turkey in 2017 and 2018, claims that the Greek government also denied.