Prosecutors dismiss investigation into refugees pushed into river between Turkey, Greece

Evros River (Photo: Ayça Söylemez/bianet)

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Prosecutors have entered a nolle prosequi regarding the investigation into the incident where 45 refugees were allegedly pushed into Evros (Meriç) River, which makes up the border between Turkey and Greece.

The Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office did not take statements from witnesses and soldiers before issuing its decision, the Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reported.

Refugees had informed the Human Rights Association (İHD) about the incident that happened in late August. Accordingly, 45 out of 150 people who were returned to Turkey by Greece on August 23 were pushed into the river by Turkey's soldiers.

Two of them, Mohammed Al Ali (37) and Mohammed Ismail (29), went missing, the İHD had stated.

CLICK - İHD: Two Syrian refugees pushed into river between Turkey, Greece still missing

Video recording

The Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD) and refugees filed complaints, alleging that the 45 people were pushed into the river by the order of a gendarmerie commander.

One of them, Sal Al Delli, had told MA that the commander had waved them goodbye while recording those moments. Children were among the refugees, he had said.

Another refugee who had asked not to be named had said a refugee from Afghanistan who tried to escape in order not to be pushed into the river had been shot by the soldiers.

Another refugee from Syria who witnessed the incident had said the commander ordered the soldiers to push the refugees into the river and shoot those who resisted in the head.

He had also mentioned the two missing refugees.

"Abstract allegations"

After a complaint by ÖHD lawyers, the prosecutor's office opened an investigation for "abuse of office" and "torture."

In the investigation for abuse of office, it was found that the refugees were pushed into the river near the Sığırcılı village and the Saçlımüsellim Outpost of the 2nd Border Battalion of the 2nd Border Battalion was responsible for the area.

However, statements of the soldiers stationed at the outpost were not taken by the prosecutors.

There was "no evidence to cause sufficient suspicion to open a lawsuit other than the abstract allegations of the plaintiffs," the prosecutor's office concluded.

In the investigation for torture, the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that suspects could not be identified and there was no tangible evidence that the two people went missing. (AS/VK)