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It has long been reported that the Greek coast guard is unscrupulous when it comes to repelling migrants. Federal police officers were also present in a controversial operation.
Federal police officers also participated in a controversial operation against migrants in the Aegean Sea between Greece and Turkey. “Spiegel” reported that this was based on a letter from the head of the EU’s border protection agency Frontex, Fabrice Leggeri, to the EU Commission. “Mainz Report” could also view the internal report. The Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed that German forces were on site for the deployment in question.
Inflatable boat with migrants at sea.
As the “Spiegel” reports, on the morning of August 10, a Greek observation post discovered a rubber boat with migrants at sea, which was clearly already in Greek waters. The federal police boat “Uckermark” arrived a quarter of an hour later and found 40 people in the crowded rubber boat. The crew did not bring anyone on board, but instead waited for the Greek coast guard. That complied with the order, Frontex writes according to “Spiegel” in the internal report. The “Uckermark” had prevented the ship from continuing until the Greeks arrived.
According to “Spiegel”, a photo taken two hours later by the Turkish coast guard shows that 40 migrants were rescued from a rubber boat by the Turkish security forces. In the room there is a suspicion of an illegal expulsion in accordance with international law without prior examination, for example, an asylum application (rejection).
The Greek authorities, which Leggeri cites according to “Spiegel”, spoke of a “prevented entry” and the migrants had returned voluntarily. When Frontex inquired, the coast guard was said to have “taken border protection measures to prevent the arrival at Samos.”
Instructions from the Greek authorities
The Federal Ministry of the Interior confirmed the general characteristics of the operation to the German Press Agency that requested it, insofar as the Federal Police was involved. The German forces acted as part of the Frontex Poseidon operation and were subordinate to the Greek authorities, a spokeswoman said. At his request, they went to the rubber boat and stayed there until the coast guard arrived.
“German officials reported the events to the Greek authorities and Frontex in accordance with the regulations,” he said. “So far, there is no reliable evidence or reliable knowledge on considering this issue as a supposed setback.” In two weeks, the Frontex Board of Directors will again deal with complaints of rejections.
The spokesman for human rights policy of the SPD parliamentary group, Frank Schwabe, asks the federal police to withdraw from the Aegean Sea: “The Germans must not under any circumstances participate in the rejections, not even indirectly. He told the” mirror. “.
There have already been several reports that Greek border guards are pushing back inflatable boats with migrants on board in the Aegean Sea towards Turkey.
“Spiegel”, “Report Mainz” and other international media reported in October that Greek border guards were pushing back the inflatables with migrants on board in the Aegean towards Turkey. They were based on information from those affected and on video recordings. Frontex officials have been close in several of these actions since April 2020, according to reports.
Accusation: passed in front of the boat
In one case, a Frontex ship is said to have initially blocked a ship overloaded with migrants, but did not pick up the occupants. Instead, the officers passed the ship “at high speed” and left the scene. More videos can be seen of how the Greek coast guard then pushes the inflatable boat towards Turkey. In another case, a Frontex surveillance plane is said to have flown over the scene.
German soldiers have also seen several times in the Aegean Sea how ships carrying immigrants are returned to Turkish waters on their way to Greece. According to information from the dpa, three incidents of this type were documented in June.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly accused Athens of allowing illegal refusals. Athens denies it.
