Migration Minister refutes allegations of refoulement of migrants in Messinia

[ad_1]

[Intime News]

Greece’s migration minister has refuted claims that 24 migrants who arrived in southern Greece last September were turned away by coastguard officials, describing the reports as organized propaganda.

Our country is facing an attack orchestrated by the industry of illicit networks smuggling illegal immigrants. There is organized propaganda against it. It goes without saying that Greece keeps its borders, in the absolute respect of the international and European context, declared Monday Notis Mitarakis in the Parliament, answering a question put by Kriton Arsenis, deputy of the party of left MeRA25.

Arsenis cited reports in Greek media that 24 people from Iraq who disembarked on September 22 at a beach in Messinia in the southern Peloponnese after their sailboat ran aground went missing shortly. after their arrival.

When questioned at the time, the local coast guard denied meeting any migrants that day, despite local residents saying they offered food and water to the new arrivals, the lawmaker said.

No such incident has been recorded. It goes without saying that when there are specific complaints and evidence, they will be investigated by independent authorities and the judiciary, Mitarakis said.

With widespread media reporting on suspected push-backs in Greece and other EU members and after continued pressure from the European Commission, the Greek government finally agreed last Friday to investigate reports of incidents at the border.

[ad_2]