Fresh evidence uncovered by BBC News contrasts the account provided by the Greek coastguard regarding a tragic migrant boat sinking last month, which claimed the lives of as many as 600 people.
Two survivors have come forward, revealing that the coastguard pressured them into identifying nine Egyptians onboard as human traffickers. Additionally, a recently discovered video contradicts the Greek coastguard’s version of events. The footage, captured while the boat was supposedly on a stable course, was actually taken by the coastguard itself when they claimed that the vessel did not require rescue. The video also confirms the presence of the oil tanker Faithful Warrior, which had been requested to provide assistance to the migrant boat.
Earlier investigations by BBC Verify had already questioned the official account provided by the Greek coastguard. Now, court documents reveal significant discrepancies between the witness statements provided by survivors to the coastguard and the evidence later presented to a judge.
Survivors ‘silenced and intimidated’
A translator has also stepped forward, recounting his experience during a people-smuggling investigation the previous year when another group of migrants was rescued by the coastguard. He describes how witnesses from that incident were subjected to intimidation by the coastguard. However, the case collapsed before reaching trial.
These revelations cast doubt on the Greek authorities’ handling of such disasters. Despite the mounting evidence, both the Greek coastguard and government have refused to comment or grant interviews.
Survivors of the sinking claim that Greek authorities silenced and intimidated them after suggesting that the coastguard was responsible for the tragedy.
They allege that the coastguard used a rope to tow the fishing vessel, causing it to capsize. The survivors further recount how they spent two hours in the water before being rescued, and upon reaching land in Kalamata, they were instructed by the coastguard to remain silent about the authorities’ role in the disaster.
The survivors also disclose their fear of speaking out publicly due to concerns about being accused like the Egyptian men who were detained and charged with manslaughter and people-smuggling shortly after the sinking. They argue that a fair system would allow them to contribute to the case. One survivor reveals that his younger brother is still missing after the incident.
Furthermore, court documents obtained by BBC News raise questions about the collection of evidence and its presentation in court.
Initial statements from five survivors did not mention the coastguard’s attempt to tow the migrant vessel with a rope. However, during the court hearing, all survivors testified that such an attempt had indeed occurred. Initially denying the use of a rope, the Greek coastguard later admitted to its use but claimed it was solely for boarding the vessel and assessing the situation, occurring at least two hours before the fishing boat capsized.
The sinking resulted in the confirmed deaths of 82 individuals, but the United Nations estimates that up to 500 more lost their lives. The Greek authorities assert that the charged Egyptian men were involved in a smuggling ring and were identified by fellow passengers. If found guilty, they could face life imprisonment.
The survivors allege mistreatment by some of the nine suspects on board, while other testimonies indicate that some of them were actually trying to help. However, Ahmad and Musaab, the two survivors interviewed by BBC News, claim that the coastguard instructed all survivors to blame the nine Egyptian men for trafficking them. Ahmad argues that the Egyptians were wrongfully accused by Greek authorities to cover up their own involvement.
While a Greek Supreme Criminal Court deputy prosecutor is conducting an investigation, calls for an international and independent inquiry, including from the UN, have been disregarded thus far. The European Commission has expressed confidence in the Greek investigation.
Greece has history of human rights violations
Greece has previously faced accusations of human rights violations. Interviewed by BBC lawyer Chrysanthi Kaouni, based in Kalamata, has been involved in more than ten criminal cases against alleged people smugglers and has raised concerns about translation issues, evidence gathering, and the defendants’ ability to challenge the evidence, which she believes lacks adequate safeguards according to international law, leading to a lack of justice.
A recent study commissioned by The Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament analyzed 81 trials involving 95 individuals accused of smuggling in different areas of Greece from February 2020 to March 2023. The study found that the average trial for migrant smuggling lasted only 37 minutes, and the average prison sentence given was 46 years. Verdicts were often based on the testimony of a single police or coastguard officer, and in over three-quarters of the cases, they did not appear in court for cross-examination.
The survivors now call for authorities to recover the shipwreck and the bodies lost in the sinking, but they have been informed that the task is challenging due to the water’s depth.
This starkly contrasts with the extensive resources and efforts dedicated to searching for five individuals on the Titan submersible in the North Atlantic in June, Ahmad says.
“But we were hundreds,” he says. “It’s not just a ship. It’s our friends and family.”
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