Turkish ship shot by Greece was suspected of smuggling weapons to Libya
The Greek coast guard shot at a ro-ro ship suspected of smuggling weapons from Turkey to Libya, Greek City Times reported, citing Greek security officials.
The captain of the Comoros flagged Anatolian earlier posted on Twitter a video of Greek coast guard shooting at the vessel, sparking outrage in Turkey.
????Greek Coast Guard has fired at cargo vessel in international waters, #Turkey says
— GercekNews (@newsgercek) September 12, 2022
????No casualties have been reported as a Comoros-flagged ship with a crew of 18 was allegedly targeted by two #Greek Coast Guard boats.https://t.co/DvN5b0k10h
The Greek Coast Guard said the ship was not emitting a signal and that was the reason for the request for inspection. But when the captain refused to stop and sped off in the northern Aegean, the Coast Guard fired warning shots in the air, not at the vessel, Greek officials said.
The Greek Coast Guard claimed the Anatolian was in national waters during inspection while Turkish officials insisted it was sailing in international waters.
The Greek coast guard left when two Turkish military boats arrived to escort Anatolian to Canakkale port of Western Turkey.
After completion of judicial and administrative formalities, the ship headed for maintenance at a shipyard in the Inebolu district of Turkey’s Kastamonu province, Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu said.
Turkish diplomatic sources described the incident as "completely contrary to international law" and Turkey asked Greek authorities for an immediate investigation and explanation about the incident, according to Anadolu.
Turkey has been accused since 2017 of smuggling weapons to Libya, violating a UN embargo, especially through its backing of the Syrian mercenaries fighting for the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity against the eastern faction led by the Libyan National Army.
