Greek police are suspected of recruiting migrants to stop and turn back other migrants trying to enter the country, according to a new investigation.
Internal police documents, analysed by the BBC, show that border guards have been ordered by senior officials since 2020 to recruit migrants to push back new arrivals at the land border between Greece and Turkey.
The investigation also reveals allegations of violence. Witnesses report that some migrants were stripped naked, robbed, beaten and even sexually assaulted.
The recruits, who come from countries such as Pakistan, Syria and Afghanistan, are reportedly rewarded with money and mobile phones taken from other migrants, as well as documents that ultimately allow them to cross through Greece.
The forced return of migrants and asylum seekers across international borders without due process is generally considered illegal under international law.
However, evidence gathered by the BBC suggests that the migrants were mistreated at the border by other migrants before being pushed back towards Turkey.
