Evros border guards for naked immigrants: "First time such humiliation"

About the group of 92 naked migrants that Turkey sent to Evros, the Secretary of the Union of Border Guards of Evros, Dimitris Dernedlis, spoke on the Sigma Mesimeri and Kati Show.

When the colleagues arrived at the scene they found shameful and degrading images for man and human nature. We saw people naked without even rudimentary clothing. They were battered and shivering from the cold and damp that morning

For our part, as Greek authorities and border guards, we provided these people with food and clothing and first aid as much as possible, although no one had to be hospitalized.

Never before in the history of our service have we been faced with such a difficult and humiliating situation. According to the statements of the irregular immigrants, they were transported from the Turkish side in gendarmerie vehicles and forcibly pushed under unspecified circumstances towards Greece.

The use of force was evident and there was no arrest of a trafficker, and we believe it was another move to use the migrant as a tool by Turkey, a fact that should concern us.

Among other things, Mr. Dertenltis said that the border cannot be inaccessible since the fence is only 40 km long and there are another 40 km without a fence. The water level is low and it is easier for migrants to cross. The pressures we faced in the summer were intense and difficult to manage but the situation has normalized in recent weeks as the temperature drops and the water level rises.

Regarding the risk of provocation by Turkey, he said that the specific incident falls into this category "In the summer, the issue was the exploitation of the islets in the riverbed of the Evros and to set up a game of provocation".