۲۶ فروردین ۱۳۹۵ - ۱۴:۳۰
کد خبر: 23163

First refugees deported from Greece to Turkey

The first expulsions of refugees under the controversial EU deal are underway

The first boats carrying people being deported from Greece to Turkey have departed from Lesbos.

As dawn broke, 131 refugees were escorted by police from EU border
agency Frontex onto the waiting ferry and catamaran. The first boat,
headed for the Turkish town of Dikili, left shortly after 7am local
time, followed by a second boat at about 7.30am.

Greece insists refugee deportations will begin despite doubts over EU-Turkey deal

Read more

Reports said the boats were mainly carrying people from Pakistan and
Morocco. Just two Syrians were onboard, both of whom had reportedly
volunteered to travel back to Turkey.

Another Turkish catamaran was transporting refugees from the
neighbouring island of Chios. Officials had not confirmed how many
people were on board.

"The procedure was very calm, everything was orderly,” Frontex spokeswoman Ewa Moncure told reporters at Lesbos harbour.

However, a small group of activists protested outside the port
chanting "Shame on you!” Volunteer rescuers protesting at sea lifted a
banner above their vessel which read: "Ferries for safe passage, not for
deportation.”

Earlier, buses carrying hundreds of refugees bound for deportation arrived at the ports of Lesbos and Chios.

On Lesbos, crews were earlier seen loading supplies onto the ships - a small ferry and a catamaran.

Turkish Interior Minister Efkan Ala has said his country is ready to
receive 500 refugees on Monday and Greek authorities have provided 400
names, although these numbers could change.

The expulsion is part of a controversial EU deal to send refugees back across the Aegean Sea. The policy has been criticised by rights groups on ethical grounds.

کد خبرنگار: ۱
۰دیدگاه شما

پربازدید

پربحث

اخبار عجیب

آخرین اخبار

لینک‌های مفید