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

Greek Police Deploying Migrants as Mercenaries to Force Asylum Seekers Back to Turkey

The BBC has uncovered extensive evidence suggesting Greek police officers are employing migrants as armed agents to expel other asylum seekers across the country’s border with Turkey. Internal police records reveal that senior officials have authorized and managed the recruitment of these so-called mercenaries. Witnesses allege that migrants are subjected to harsh treatment, including strip searches, theft, beatings, and sexual assault, during these operations.

Allegations of Brutality and Illegal Expulsions

Pushbacks—forcing migrants to return to their countries of origin without proper legal process—are widely regarded as a violation of international law. In 2022, Lighthouse Reports, a Dutch news outlet, reported claims of masked foreign men carrying out such actions in Greece. This year, the BBC received disturbing footage from a smuggler, who claimed to have grown disillusioned with his network. The video allegedly shows migrants being mistreated by mercenaries, though its authenticity remains unverified.

Evros Border and Migrant Flows

The land border between Greece and Turkey stretches 200km along the Evros River, forming the EU’s outermost frontier. Migrants entering Greece via this route are often detained in a heavily fortified zone with watchtowers. A local police official stated that up to hundreds of individuals are reportedly expelled weekly through these operations. “Every officer in Evros knows pushbacks are happening,” the source added.

The BBC’s investigation, conducted with the Consolidated Rescue Group, uncovered that the mercenaries themselves are migrants from countries such as Pakistan, Syria, and Afghanistan. They are said to be compensated with stolen belongings, including phones and cash, as well as documents enabling them to pass through Greece. A June 2023 video shows a group of migrants ambushed by masked individuals after crossing into Evros.

Frontex Report and Legal Concerns

A Frontex-commissioned report on the 22 June incident found that between 10 and 20 “third-country nationals” were acting under Greek officers’ direction. These individuals subjected asylum seekers to verbal abuse, intrusive body searches, and threats of harm. The report also noted physical assaults, theft, and forced transportation back to Turkey, breaching EU human rights standards.

Despite the findings, Greek authorities have denied that migrants from the group were present at the time. This aligns with the prime minister’s recent statement, in which Kyriakos Mitsotakis claimed he was “totally unaware” of the use of mercenaries. He emphasized Greece’s role in border protection and noted European leaders’ commitment to avoiding a “massive influx” of refugees.

Human Rights Commission Warns of Systemic Abuse

Maria Gavouneli, head of the Greek Human Rights Commission (GNCHR), called the evidence “extremely significant” and highlighted over 100 documented cases of forced returns in Evros since 2020. While recent incidents have declined, many involved non-Greek nationals, including the latest report in October 2025. The commission’s findings raise concerns about systemic rights violations at the EU’s easternmost border.