The figures regarding the fight against human trafficking in Greece, which is one of the main routes for those who want to cross to Western European countries, have been announced. Speaking to Sky radio, Greek Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos reported that 1,300 people smugglers were arrested red-handed in 2022 only near the Maritsa (Evros) river, which borders Turkey.

Minister Theodorikakos also said that during 2022, 256,000 refugees from Turkey trying to cross the Maritsa River were stopped. According to United Nations data, the number of refugees entering Greece illegally in 2022 has doubled compared to the previous year, reaching 18,800 (in 2021 they were 9,157)

Illegal to return migrants

With the support of the European Union (EU) border guards, security units in Greece have been taking strict measures at land and sea borders in recent years. However, international human rights organizations have been accusing the Greek government of illegally sending those who want to enter the European Union for a safer life to Turkey for a while.

According to the Athens administration, recently, the AKP-MHP government in Turkey has been putting pressure on Syrian refugees, telling them to go back to Syria or cross into Greece illegally. Greek officials state that this pressure on Syrian refugees has increased before the general elections to be held in Turkey.