Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Wednesday, Feb 12, 2025

Greece Asked To Launch Probe After Video Shows Migrants Abandoned At Sea

Greece Asked To Launch Probe After Video Shows Migrants Abandoned At Sea

In the video, refugees are shown being driven in a white van to a remote spot on the Aegean island before being forced into a high-speed inflatable boat.
The European Commission has called on Greece to begin an investigation into reports of 12 migrants being allegedly abandoned at sea by the Greek coast guard. The news was first reported by New York Times based on video footage depicting the forcible expulsion of asylum seekers, including a baby, who had sought sanctuary in the country.

The group of migrants was later rescued by Turkish Coast Guard boats and is now in a Turkish detention center. The chances of asylum are very slim in Turkey, the Times reported.

''My services have sent a formal request to Greek authorities that this incident be fully and independently investigated. It is necessary that proper follow-up is taken by Greek authorities, also based on the new independent monitoring mechanism,'' the European commissioner for migration, Ylva Johansson, said on Twitter.

''The European Commission stands ready to take formal steps, as appropriate,'' she added.


In the video shot on April 11, the refugees, described as Somalis, Eritreans, and Ethiopians, are shown being driven in a white van to a remote spot on the Aegean island before being forced into a high-speed inflatable boat.

''We didn't expect to survive on that day. When they were putting us on the inflatable raft, they did so without any mercy,'' Naima Hassan Aden, a 27-year-old from Somalia told The Guardian.

However, the Greek government has consistently denied the mistreatment of migrants reaching its land. Notably, it is illegal under domestic, EU, and international law to deny migrants seeking asylum at the border.

“For years, activists and journalists have dug into claims that the Greek authorities are illegally pushing migrants out of Greece's borders, but hard evidence has been fragmentary. The government has consistently denied mistreating asylum seekers and points to the fact that it shoulders a disproportionate burden of managing new arrivals to Europe,”New York Times said in a statement.

''But the video, provided by an Austrian aid worker, Fayad Mulla, who has spent much of the past two and a half years working on the island and trying to document abuses against migrants, may be the most damning evidence yet of the Greek authorities' violation of international laws and E.U. rules governing how asylum seekers must be treated,” it added.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Apple Releases Critical Security Update Following Reports of Vulnerabilities
Israel Warns It May Terminate Gaza Ceasefire Due to Hostage Situation
King Abdullah II Dismisses US Proposal to Move Palestinians, Promises to Welcome Children from Gaza.
OpenAI Reiterates Its Independence After Musk's $97 Billion Proposal
Saudi Arabia Assumes Presidency of GlobE Network to Combat Corruption
Riyadh Season 2024 Attracts 19 Million Visitors in Four Months
Saudi Schools Celebrate Founding Day with Nationwide Festivities
Saudi Arabia Participates in AI Action Summit in Paris
Saudi Arabia Issues Premium Residency to 685 Tech Experts
Saudi Arabia Sends Relief Convoy to Syria Amid Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis
Saudi Arabia Launches Electronic Service for Issuing Passports to Adopted Family Members
Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Introduces Flexible Payment Plan for Domestic Pilgrims
Saudi Council of Ministers Rejects Israeli Statements on Palestinian Displacement
Saudi Air Force to Participate in Cobra Warrior 25-1 Exercise in the UK
Countryside Winter Festival in Madinah Attracts Over 7,000 Visitors
KSrelief Expands Humanitarian Efforts Across Multiple Nations
Saudi Arabia and Argentina Strengthen Diplomatic Relations in Riyadh Meeting
Saudi Tailor Yousef Tammar Enrolls at Italy's Renowned Accademia Nazionale dei Sartori
Head of Muslim World League Visits Guinea-Bissau to Review Medical Initiatives
Saudi Arabia Advances Carbon Credit Initiatives Through Workshop
GCC Secretary-General Meets Sumitomo Corporation Chairman in Riyadh
Exhibition of the Holy Kaaba’s Kiswah at Islamic Arts Biennale 2025
Saudi Arabia's Mental Health Revolution: A Shift Towards Awareness and Accessibility
16th Klija Festival Highlights Local Beekeeping and Honey Production in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Dismantles Three Drug Trafficking Gangs, 19 Arrested
Boston Dynamics Founder Addresses Robotics and Regulation at Riyadh Summit
Saudi Royal Guard Celebrates Graduations and Sports Competitions
IBM Invests in AI Workforce in Saudi Arabia Amid Vision 2030 Initiatives
Saudi Arabia's Startup Ecosystem Sees Significant Funding Influx Ahead of LEAP 2025
Riyadh Expo 2030: A New Frontier for Saudi Arabia's Global Presence
Saudi Aramco Official Discusses Key Factors for Unlocking AI Potential at LEAP 2025
Saudi Arabia Unveils $14.9 Billion Investments at LEAP 2025 Tech Conference
Tencent Cloud to Launch Operations in Saudi Arabia by 2025 with $150 Million Investment
Saudi Arabia Emerges as Regional Technology Hub
Saudi Arabia's Sports Sector: A Catalyst for Economic Diversification
LEAP 2025: Saudi Arabia’s Tech Ambitions Take Center Stage
Saudi Ma’aden Achieves Successful $1.25 Billion Debut Sukuk Issuance
Pakistan Seeks to Strengthen Trade Ties with Saudi Arabia
Lenovo and Saudi PIF’s Alat Break Ground on Manufacturing Hub in Riyadh
Saudi Royal Decree Exempts Government Agencies from Licensing Fines
Saudi Arabia Elected to IAACA Executive Committee Amid Global Anti-Corruption Efforts
Royal Saudi Navy Joins AMAN-25 Maritime Exercise in Pakistan
Saudi Crown Prince Hosts IOC President for Enhanced Cooperation Talks
Saudi Arabia Experiences Extreme Cold Weather with Record Low Temperatures
Saudi Arabia Hosts International Olympic Committee President for Strategic Discussions
Saudi Arabia Secures $14.9 Billion in AI Investments at LEAP 2025 Conference
Global Condemnation of Netanyahu's Remarks on Palestinian Statehood and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia and Argentina Strengthen Bilateral Ties Amid Regional Developments
Saudi Authorities Arrest 19 in Major Drug Trafficking Bust Involving Government Employees
Lebanon Inaugurates New Government with Hezbollah's Impact on Important Ministries
×