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ΕβροςΚαστανιέςOrganised efforts to violate Greek border averted overnight, government sources say
Refugees try to find a way past the Evros River to reach Greek territory. 01 March 2020. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Organised efforts to illegally cross the Greek border continued throughout the night, government sources said on Sunday, with Greek authorities averting the entrance of nearly 10,000 illegal migrants.
“From 6:00 a.m. yesterday morning until 6:00 a.m. today the entrance into Greece territory (throughout Evros) of 9,972 persons was prevented. There were 73 arrests and charges were drawn up. Those that entered illegally have nothing whatsoever to do with Idlib. They come from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Somalia. The army put up artificial barriers and signs during the night,” the sources said.
“At around 2:00 a.m. [on Sunday] there was an organised mass movement by a large crowd of young migrants, who attempted to enter Greek territory from the location known as Kastanies Forest where there is no fence (very close to the border crossing). This location is a little to the north of the Greek-Turkish border crossing where they had previously gathered.
The preparations for this movement had been spotted by the army and police force since 1:30 and they were ready. With coordinated efforts of the two forces, entrance into Greek territory was averted,” the sources said.
They also noted that from late afternoon until early evening, organised groups of migrants had thrown stones, tear gas, pieces of burning wood and iron bars at the Greek side, while some were armed with knives and made threats.
National Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Deputy Defence Minister Alkiviadis Stefanis arrived in Evros on Sunday morning.
Source: ΑΝΑ – ΜΡΑ
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