Greek police using masked migrants to forcibly push other migrants back across border
The BBC has been shown footage from 22 June 2023 in which a group of migrants, who had just crossed into Evros and wanted to claim asylum, were ambushed by masked men.
A report into this incident by the Fundamental Rights Office, an independent investigator within Frontex, found that – based on the available evidence – between 10 and 20 “third-country nationals” had been acting under the instruction of Greek officers.
It said they subjected the migrants to physical and verbal abuse including “death and rape threats, intrusive and sexualised body searches,” as well as beating, stabbing, restraining and theft of personal property.
The report said that the migrants were then forcibly transported back to Turkey, in violation of EU human rights law.
The Greek authorities have denied that any migrants from this group were found in the area on that day.
This is just one of several reports by the Fundamental Rights Office, investigating allegations of pushbacks involving masked foreign men over recent year.
Our findings could amount to an “extremely significant” abuse of human rights, says Maria Gavouneli, the president of Greece’s human rights commission (GNCHR). The organisation has itself recorded more than 100 incidents of alleged forced returns in Evros, dating back to 2020.
While it says cases have been declining, dozens of these alleged incidents have involved non-Greek, third country nationals – most recently in October 2025.
In a brief exchange with the BBC in March, the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said he was unaware of allegations about the use of mercenaries.However, he said that Greece was protecting its borders, and added that European leaders were clear they would not repeat past “mistakes” by allowing in a “massive influx” of migrants and refugees.
Frontex has rejected any suggestion it turns a blind eye to rights violations, saying it helps ensure borders are managed lawfully, while supporting countries under strain.
‘We couldn’t breathe’
We have spoken to two Syrian migrants who claim to have been forced back to Turkey, across the River Evros.
Amal (not her real name) showed us videos and documentation of her family in Greece, where they had applied for asylum.
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