Investigation has uncovered shocking allegations involving a member of the Greek special forces.
Romy van Baarsen, who met the soldier on the dating app Tinder, revealed troubling details about his duties after he contacted her from a “warship.”
When asked about his work, the soldier admitted that his forces “drive [refugee boats] back” under orders “from the minister,” adding that failure to stop a boat would result in punishment.
These statements suggest the practice of “pushbacks,” which Greece has consistently denied.
Greece is a primary entry point into Europe for many migrants.
In the past year, Europe saw 263,048 sea arrivals, with Greece receiving 41,561 (16%) of those. Despite a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement aimed at halting migrant crossings into Greece, Turkey announced in 2020 that it could no longer uphold the deal.
In response to our findings, the Greek coastguard stated that its staff work “tirelessly with the utmost professionalism, a strong sense of responsibility and respect for human life and fundamental rights.”
They emphasized their “full compliance with the country’s international obligations” and highlighted their rescue efforts from 2015 to 2024, which included saving 250,834 refugees/migrants in 6,161 incidents at sea.
The coastguard’s “impeccable execution” of these missions has been internationally recognized.
However, the Greek coastguard has faced criticism following the Adriana shipwreck last June, one of the Mediterranean’s deadliest migrant tragedies in a decade, with over 600 people feared dead. Greek officials maintained that the boat was not in distress and was heading safely to Italy, which is why the coastguard did not intervene.
GistMeBlog.com continues to seek clarity on these serious allegations, striving to hold those responsible accountable and ensure transparency in the treatment of migrants in the region.
