The European border security service Frontex has confirmed an incident in which 92 naked migrants allegedly drove across the border river Evros from Turkey to Greece last Friday. A spokeswoman for the authority said on Sunday evening that officials from the EU authority had supported Greek border guards in rescuing the people. They reported that people were found nearly naked and some were visibly injured.
The incident was immediately forwarded to Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Officer to investigate a possible violation of fundamental rights.
Greek Migration Minister wants to tackle New York incident
The incident was immediately forwarded to Frontex’s Fundamental Rights Officer to investigate a possible violation of fundamental rights. Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis said he would raise the incident with the United Nations next week during a visit to New York. There is also photo and video material. He has already informed the European Commission, Mitarakis tweeted Monday.
Turkey denies incident and criticizes Greece
Athens and Ankara blamed each other for the incident last weekend. Greek Civil Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos spoke of barbaric behavior reminiscent of the Middle Ages. Turkey’s deputy interior minister, on the other hand, tweeted that Greece was trying to force Turkey’s own brutality.
Frontex and Greek border guards delivered the migrants
The Greek authorities and media had published a photo earlier Saturday showing the naked people. Some migrants said they were taken to the border in three vehicles by the Turkish authorities and put in dinghies to cross the river. Frontex and Greek border guards dressed and cared for the migrants, the border security service said. The people are said to be from Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan.
Beaten by Turkish army
The secretary general of the Greek border guards in Evros, Dimitris Derventlis, reacted with shock. “On Saturday morning, my colleagues rescued a large group of illegal immigrants and witnessed an inhuman and degrading sight,” he said. The migrants were beaten by the Turkish army, he said in an interview with state television ERT on Monday.
Derventlis pointed out how difficult the weather conditions are: in the morning, even though it is October, it is very cold and the humidity is high. “Most of the migrants come from Afghanistan, a few from Syria and Pakistan, all the men are between 22 and 25 years old,” he said.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
