HomeNewsGreeceGreek Government denies killing migrant at Greek-Turkish border

Greek Government denies killing migrant at Greek-Turkish border

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Government spokesman Stelios Petsas on Friday evening rejected a report claiming Greek soldiers shot and killed a Pakistani national on the Evros border.

The report by German magazine Der Spiegel claimed the man was shot dead by Greek soldiers while attempting to cross from Turkey into Greece two months ago.

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“No evidence was ever provided in early March proving that the actions of Greek security forces resulted in loss of life. In fact, these allegations were immediately denied by the Greek authorities,” Petsas said in a statement.

Greek police use tear gas against migrants waiting at the border crossing at Kastanies and Pazarkule to cross to the European Union territories on Feb. 28, 2020. (IHA Photo)

The incident came as Turkey said it would no longer stop migrants from crossing into Europe, resulting in thousands gathering on the Turkish side of the border, in the border region of Evros.

Mr. Petsas points out that orders have been given to use non-lethal means in the Greek security forces and the possibility of their violation should have already been investigated.

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The Greek Government also claimed that Turkish authorities are consistently using migrants and refugees as, “pawns in a propaganda program ‘made for television’ against Greece.”

The report was originally published in March but on Friday the magazine published it in English.

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