According to the BBC, witnesses have accused the Greek Coast Guard (HCG) of killing at least 40 migrants in the Mediterranean over the past three years. Allegedly, the HCG forced migrants back out to sea and threw nine people overboard to their deaths after they arrived on Greek islands.

BBC News

The BBC investigated 15 deadly incidents involving HCG, resulting in 43 deaths. The primary sources were local media, NGOs, and the Turkish coastguard. Witnesses frequently disappear or are too afraid to speak out, making it difficult to verify such accounts. In four cases, eyewitnesses have confirmed accounts.

The witnesses are from Syria and various parts of Africa, and they came to Greece to register as asylum seekers before being apprehended and forced back to sea. Lawyers are now attempting to get Greek authorities to open a double murder case.

When the outlet released footage of 12 people being forced into a coastguard boat before being abandoned at sea in a dinghy, a Greek coastguard officer referred to the HCG behavior as "obviously illegal" and "intentional crime."

The Greek government has faced heavy criticism for allegedly violating international law on forced returns by pushing refugees back toward Turkey. The HCG denies any allegations of illegal activity.

Irregular border crossings is a big problem for the EU. Last year alone, there was an increase in irregular border crossings in the EU due to a rise in Mediterranean sea arrivals, totaling approximately 263K. Greece received 41K arrivals.

Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say

Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say

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Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say

Greek coastguard threw migrants overboard to their deaths, witnesses say

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