Greek authorities have strongly dismissed claims by the BBC that migrants were recruited to carry out violent pushbacks along the country’s land border with Turkey.
Officials from the Ministry of Citizen Protection said border operations are conducted in full accordance with international, European and national law, stressing respect for human rights and dignity.
They added that similar allegations have surfaced before and have been addressed with what they described as “clarity and documentation.”
The ministry also questioned the reliability of the report, arguing it was based largely on testimonies and secondary sources that cannot be independently verified, and that conclusions appeared to rely on overlapping claims rather than firm evidence.
The BBC investigation, however, cites a range of material, including alleged internal police documents suggesting the use of so-called “mercenaries” directed by senior officers.
It further claims migrants were subjected to abuses such as being stripped, robbed, beaten and, in some cases, sexually assaulted, with the practice allegedly dating back to at least 2020.
Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he was “totally unaware” of the accusations, reiterating that Greece is protecting its borders and that European leaders are determined not to repeat past “mistakes” by allowing a “massive influx” of migrants and refugees.
The BBC said its inquiry began last autumn after obtaining video footage, provided by a smuggler, that allegedly shows mistreatment by individuals described as mercenaries.
While the footage has not been independently verified, the BBC said it is consistent with other accounts collected during its investigation.
Source: Ekathimerini.
