Greece’s Migration Minister, Notis Mitarakis, released a video on Wednesday that allegedly shows Turkey’s Coast Guard violently pushing a boat full of refugees toward the Aegean islands.
Mitarakis posted the video on his Twitter account and said it shows the officers “violently pushing forward migrants to Greece, in violation of international law and the EU joint statement.”
The Migration Minister claimed the video was shot by a refugee who was eventually rescued by the Greek Coast Guard.
Footage from Turkish coastguard violently pushing forward migrants to Greece, in violation of international law and the EU joint statement. This video was filmed by a refugee who was saved by
— Νότης Μηταράκης – Notis Mitarachi (@nmitarakis) October 5, 2022. It is further proof of the instrumentalization of migration flows by
#migration pic.twitter.com/sXG74VxBYo
“It is further proof of the instrumentalisation of migration flows by Turkey,” he said.
Mitarakis did not say where or when the incident occurred, but the video shows a refugee boat next to the Turkish vessel and refugees pleading with the officers to help them.
The officers shout at them and use sticks to push them away.
The video comes at a time were relations between the two NATO allies are at a low point, with many ongoing disputes including over Aegean Sea boundaries.
READ MORE: Turkey and the Parthenon Marbles: Hot topics of Greek Prime Minister’s UN address.
Source: Ekathimerini.
