Journalist Güliz Vural Crosses into Lesbos by Boat, Tried over Human Trafficking

Photojournalist Güliz Karaoğlan Vural crossed with the refugees from Sivrice-Lesbos, where is a route for thousands of refugees use to cross into Europe, into Molyvos in Lesbos.

Vural saying her intention was to reflect the tragedy of the refugees said the refugees started to move towards the camp when they arrived in Lesbos, and she was taken into custody by harbor police with the charges of human trafficking and entering the country by illegal means.

Vural stating that she has been working with the refugees for two years talked to bianet as to what happened:

"There is a flow to Lesbos but there isn't a single authority from Turkey"

"I submitted my project to Danish Foreign Ministry and Objective Investigative Journalism backed by BBC and headed for Sivrice district of Çanakkale province with their fund support on Saturday nigh, October 17.

"There was an unbelievable flow of refugee toward Lesbos from Sivrice. Boats were constantly sailing to Lesbos. Meanwhile since the boats were very heavy, there were many stuff belonged to the refugees who washed up on ashore after the boats stood off. Among these there were many diplomas, transcripts, and personal documents in addition to dresses and bags.

"The funny part is that officials from Turkey weren't taking any measures at an area in which thousands of people start a dangerous voyage. People were getting on small boats in tens and set out on a 'death journey'. While some managed to reach the other side, some were losing their lives on the journey."

53 people on 16-people capacity boat

"I said I also wanted to get on one of the boats sailing to Lesbos, they agreed. Just in case I got on a boat with water-proof bag and water-proof clothes and sat at frontmost to be able to take photos.
"We were 53 people on a boat of eight meters, but the capacity was for 16 people."

"Yol boyu süren korku, adaya yaklaştıkça yerini umuda bırakıyordu. Adaya iyice yaklaşınca bottakilerde inanılmaz bir mutluluk oldu.

All together pray by screaming

"As we set sail, the refugees were seriously worried. Everyone was praying by screaming. Children who don't know how to pray were all together saying 'allah'."

"Human trafficking" accusation

"While the NGOs in Lesbos taking care of refugees were rushing to every approaching boat with a huge interest, they were showing the utmost interest to children.
While the refugees move towards the camp with the direction of NGOs, I sat on the shore. At this time, a harbor police who heard I am from Turkey came by me.
"I showed them my passport and press card but they thought I was a human trafficker."

"You don't fit trafficker profile"

"As we went to the police station, they called for a translator and took my testimony. Police said I don't fit trafficker profile and didn't understand what I was doing there.
"I said I wanted to witness within the scope of my thesis project what these people are going through."

"Foreign Ministry and consulate stepped in"

"Turkish Foreign Ministry and consulate officials stepped in right away. The person whom I met from the consulate told me not to worry and they would definitely have me released from there.

"Meanwhile, a couple of journalists from Greece came to visit me. Fatoş Lazari, who is from Turkey and her husband is from Greece, took a close interest in me. She immediately got a lawyer.

"They wanted to send me behind the bars with the suspicion of me entering the country by illegal means and being a human trafficker but I waited at the couch since they didn't have a holding cell for women."

Serious accusations

"I appeared before judge on Monday. The judge said I am being tried over serious charges and asked if I will plead later or right now.

"My lawyer asked for time. Upon that it was decided for the court to be gathered on Wednesday. I stayed at the station until Wednesday.

"When I appeared before the judge on Wednesday, I explained that I do journalism, with this study I intend to draw attention to this human tragedy occurring between Greece and Turkey, besides I also want to use this study in my thesis for the university and denied the accusation of human trafficking."

"Trafficking" testimony of eye-witness

"An eye-witness had told that after coming to Lesbos, I tried to return to Turkey by boat of which the refugees got off, but I failed.

"However, it was not possible because as the boat approached the shore, it took damage due to rocks on the ground. I was sitting on the shore as police came.

"I was released by the court pending a trial"

"The judge ruled for me to be released pending a trial.

"The eye-witness who claimed I was trying to flee will be called for the next trial. Besides, the photos will be considered and decision will be made."

Camera and photos seized

"Officials from Greece seized my camera and photos.

"We submitted a petition to take them back but I don't know whether they will return them."

"Legal means should be developed"

"I set out to generate awareness, draw people's attention and live it in person.

"Officials from Greece kept saying that what I did was dangerous. Right, I admit it was dangerous but a thousand people face this danger every day.

"Legal means should be developed for the refugees to not take such dangerous paths and prevent them from experiencing these difficulties." (EKN/TK)

Click here to read the article in Turkish