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

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

Internal records reveal recruitment of migrants as border pushback operatives

According to extensive evidence gathered by the BBC, Greek law enforcement has been employing migrants as mercenaries to expel others across the land border with Turkey. Internal police documents obtained by the BBC detail how senior officers authorized and supervised the hiring of these individuals. These records indicate a systematic effort to repel asylum seekers through violent means.

Witnesses have described instances of migrants being stripped of belongings, beaten, and subjected to sexual assault. The practice, known as pushbacks, involves returning individuals to Turkey without proper legal procedures. These actions are widely regarded as a breach of international law. The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, stated during a brief conversation with the BBC in March that he was “totally unaware” of the allegations, though his comments did not address the specifics of the operations.

Investigation spans years, uncovering coordinated efforts

The BBC’s investigation, which began in the autumn of 2022, was prompted by video footage shared by a smuggler. The clip allegedly shows migrants being mistreated by masked men, with the smuggler claiming to have grown disillusioned with his network. While the BBC has not confirmed the video’s authenticity, it aligns with accounts from other independent sources.

Analysis of multiple sources—including interviews with migrants, former mercenaries, and leaked transcripts—reveals a pattern. Greece has recorded over a million arrivals since 2015, primarily via sea routes but also through the land frontier with Turkey. This 200km border along the Evros River forms the EU’s eastern edge, with a heavily guarded zone that includes watchtowers.

Merchants of pushbacks: Migrants as both victims and agents

Documents show that the mercenaries involved are themselves migrants from countries like Pakistan, Syria, and Afghanistan. These individuals are incentivized with cash, stolen mobile phones, and documents enabling passage through Greece. A local police official confirmed that up to hundreds of people are returned to Turkey weekly via this method.

In June 2023, the BBC was presented with footage depicting an ambush of migrants who had just crossed into Evros. A Frontex investigator reported that between 10 and 20 non-Greek nationals were acting under Greek officers’ direction, subjecting individuals to abuse, including sexualized body searches and threats of death or rape. The migrants were then forced back into Turkey, violating EU human rights standards.

Denials and ongoing concerns

Greek authorities have disputed claims that migrants were present in the area on the day of the incident. This is part of a broader pattern of pushbacks, with the Fundamental Rights Office noting over 100 alleged forced returns since 2020. Despite a decline in reported cases, dozens still involve foreign nationals, including a recent incident in October 2025.

María Gavouneli, president of Greece’s human rights commission, called the findings a “severely significant” breach of rights. Frontex, the EU border agency, has also rejected claims of involvement, maintaining that Greek officials are solely responsible for the border operations.