Greece captures 1,300 human traffickers near Turkey border in 2022

In 2022, Greece has caught 1,300 human traffickers red-handed just near the Evros (Meric) river region which only borders with Tukey, Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said.

Over 250,000 illegal migrants were also prevented from entering Greece through the Evros border last year, Theodorikakos told Skai TV on Saturday, Hawar News reported.

The number of refugees entering Greece illegally in 2022 has reached 18,800, doubling the previous year’s figures, it said, citing United Nations data.

Greece which is one of the main routes for refugees who want to reach to Western European countries is at loggerheads with Turkey over migration issue. Ankara frequently accuses Athens of violent and unlawful migrant pushbacks. Athens on the other hand, blames Ankara of deliberately encouraging migrants to cross border, despite being obliged to stop them entering Greece, under a 2016 deal signed with the European Union.

According to Greek City Times, the Greek government is ready to proceed with the gradual expansion of the fence barrier along the entire length of the Evros border with Turkey.

The 35-kilometer extension of the fence is estimated to cost a hundred million euros, it said.