Greek Police Use Masked Migrants for Border Pushbacks

Greek police are facing allegations of recruiting migrants to act as masked mercenaries to forcibly push other asylum seekers and migrants back across the land border into Turkey. A BBC investigation has uncovered evidence suggesting that these recruits were used to carry out violent operations to prevent individuals from entering Greece.

The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Consolidated Rescue Group (CRG), revealed that the recruitment of these mercenaries was reportedly ordered and overseen by senior police officers. Internal police documents reviewed by the BBC contain descriptions from guards detailing how this recruitment process was managed.

Evidence suggests that these unofficial mercenaries have been employed on the border since at least 2020. The operations involve “pushbacks,” which is the practice of forcing migrants and asylum seekers back across a border without providing them with due process. Such actions are generally considered illegal under international law.

Reports of Brutality and Human Rights Violations

Witnesses have reported extreme brutality during these pushback operations. Allegations include migrants being stripped, robbed, beaten, and sexually assaulted by the masked recruits.

The BBC’s findings were prompted in part by disturbing video footage allegedly showing migrants being mistreated by these mercenaries. The footage was provided by a smuggler who claimed to have become disillusioned with his associates. While the BBC stated it has not been able to verify the content of the video, the reporting indicates that the footage mirrors accounts gathered from other independent sources.

These independent sources include testimony from migrants, former mercenaries, police sources, and leaked transcripts, as well as official documents.

Official Responses and Legal Context

When questioned by the BBC, the Greek prime minister stated he was totally unaware of the allegations regarding the use of migrants to conduct pushbacks. Greek authorities have not responded to detailed written requests for comment regarding the investigation’s findings.

The use of migrants as mercenaries creates a situation where victims of the migration crisis are turned into perpetrators of violence against other vulnerable individuals. This practice occurs in a highly militarized border region characterized by restricted access and the presence of watchtowers on the Greek side, which increases the danger for those attempting to cross.

Previous Allegations and Investigations

The current findings align with previous reports regarding the Greek border. In 2022, the Netherlands-based news organization Lighthouse Reports published claims that foreign masked men were carrying out pushbacks in Greece.

the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, known as Frontex, has investigated allegations that Greek authorities deployed unidentified masked men to attack people seeking asylum.

These combined reports suggest a pattern of using unidentified, masked personnel to bypass legal requirements for processing asylum seekers, effectively removing the accountability of official state agents while maintaining border control through violence.