Greek police using masked migrants to forcibly push other migrants back across border

Greek Police Deploy Migrants as Enforcers to Force Others Back Across Border

The BBC has uncovered substantial evidence suggesting Greek police are using migrants as private contractors to violently repel other asylum seekers across the country’s land frontier with Turkey. This practice, known as pushbacks, involves sending individuals back to Turkey without proper legal procedures, a move deemed unlawful under international law.

Internal Documents Reveal Organized Recruitment

According to documents obtained by the BBC, senior Greek officers have authorized the hiring of so-called mercenaries from migrant communities. These recruits are reportedly tasked with intercepting and returning asylum seekers to Turkey, often through aggressive means.

Allegations of Brutality and Abuse

Witness accounts detail instances of migrants being stripped, robbed, beaten, and even sexually assaulted. Some reports claim that mercenaries are rewarded with stolen items and documents that facilitate their passage through Greece. A 2023 video shows a group of migrants, having crossed into Evros, being ambushed by masked individuals. The footage aligns with testimonies from survivors and other independent sources.

Border Dynamics and Legal Violations

The land border with Turkey spans 200 kilometers along the Evros River, forming the EU’s outermost edge. Refugees entering Greece via this region are subjected to a militarized process, with watchtowers and checkpoints monitoring movement. A police source confirmed that hundreds of people are returned weekly, adding that all border personnel are aware of the practice.

Frontex’s Findings and Government Denials

A Frontex investigation into the 2023 incident found that between 10 and 20 third-country nationals were acting under Greek officers’ guidance. These individuals reportedly used threats, body searches, and physical force to expel migrants. Greek authorities have dismissed claims of migrants being present on that day, though the evidence continues to mount.

Human Rights Concerns and Ongoing Investigations

Maria Gavouneli, head of Greece’s human rights commission, described the situation as a “major breach” of rights. Her organization has documented over 100 alleged forced returns in Evros since 2020, with cases persisting into October 2025. Despite this, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, claimed ignorance of the allegations in March, emphasizing border protection and European leaders’ commitment to preventing future mass arrivals.

Collaborative Investigation and Smuggler’s Testimony

The BBC’s investigation, conducted with the Consolidated Rescue Group, began in autumn 2024. It was prompted by a smuggler who shared disturbing video footage, alleging dissatisfaction with his associates. While the video’s authenticity remains unverified, it corroborates accounts from multiple sources, highlighting a systemic pattern of abuse.

“There is no officer in Evros who does not know pushbacks are happening,” stated an anonymous police source.

International Legal Context

Pushbacks typically violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to a country where they face persecution. The practice has drawn criticism from rights groups and EU agencies, with Greece’s actions potentially undermining the bloc’s humanitarian standards.