Shipwreck survivors pressured to accuse migrants of smuggling

Following a shipwreck in the Mediterranean on June 14, nine Egyptian men who had also been passengers on the ship were charged with crimes relating to smuggling of migrants.

Under EU law, it is a criminal offense to “intentionally facilitate the unauthorized entry or transit” of people across borders, however in practice this can also include anyone steering a migrant boat. Thousands of people have faced such charges since 2015.

According to Greek authorities, the charges against the nine Egyptians include the following: illegal entry into the country, illegal trafficking of foreigners, criminal organization, causing a shipwreck, manslaughter by negligence and endangering life. They face up to life imprisonment if found guilty.

Also read: Greece: Accused migrant ‘smugglers’ detained, another body pulled from the sea

BBC uncovers evidence

However, the BBC has uncovered evidence that migrants were silenced and intimidated by the Greek authorities after suggesting the coast guard’s poor management of the incident may be to blame for the tragedy.

The BBC spoke to survivors who have claimed that the Greek coast guard used a rope to tow the fishing vessel carrying the migrants, causing it to sink and leading to hundreds of deaths. The men described spending around two hours in the water before being picked up by the coast guard.

After the incident, when they were brought to Kalamata, the men claim the coast guard told survivors to “shut up” when they started talking about the role of the Greek authorities in causing the disaster. The individuals the BBC spoke to also stated that those rescued were told to be grateful they hadn’t died.

The men told the UK broadcaster that they are still scared to speak out publicly because they fear they too will be accused of smuggling. Both men say they paid $4,500 each for a spot on the boat.

Also read: Suspected migrant smuggler charged in France

Collapsing court cases

The BBC also cited court documents which raise questions about the way evidence is covered and presented in court. Although the initial statements from five survivors do not mention the coast guard trying to tow the migrant vessel with a rope, all described the failed tow attempt before a judge days later.

Initially, the Greek coast guard denied using a rope, however backtracked later, admitting one had been used. It also said it was only to try to board the vessel and assess the situation and that the fishing vessel did not capsize until at least two hours later.

82 people were confirmed dead after the incident, but the United Nations estimates as many as 500 more lost their lives, putting the figure closer to 600 dead or missing.

The Greek authorities have claimed that the nine accused men are part of a smuggling ring and were identified by fellow passengers. The BBC reported that there has been some confusion regarding the testimonies of survivors, with some alleging the nine suspects mistreated those on board — while others say they were actually trying to help.

But the individuals the BBC spoke to claim the coast guard instructed all of the survivors to say that the nine Egyptian men were responsible for trafficking them, in order to cover up the actions of the coast guard.

A Greek Supreme Criminal Court deputy prosecutor is now carrying out an investigation, however calls from the UN to conduct an international, independent inquiry have been ignored. The European Commission backed the Greek investigation.

Also read: Smuggler jailed for 12 years over deaths of 39 Vietnamese migrants who died in truck

Lengthy sentences and poor evidence

Captain Support Greece — a platform which seeks to connect people accused of smuggling with support networks and lawyers — told InfoMigrants last month that the targeting of migrants as smugglers is part of Greece’s “migration management,” rather than an attempt to stop the operation of criminal trafficking networks.

Alarm Phone has also previously stated that those who profit from organizing journeys for migrants will not actually be present on the boat. The organization said people are repeatedly wrongly accused and sentenced to long prison terms “because the authorities need scapegoats.”

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The BBC cited a new study carried out by the Greens/European Free Alliance group in the European Parliament, which looked at 81 trials involving 95 people between 2020-2023. The study found the average trial for migrants accused of people smuggling in Greece lasted only 37 minutes, with an average prison sentence of 46 years.

The sentencing is of particular concern as most verdicts are based on the written testimony of a single police or coast guard officer, who in most cases has not appeared in court for cross-examination.

The BBC stated that both the Hellenic Coast Guard and the Greek government refused to comment on its investigation.

Also read: Libya: 38 jailed for human trafficking and death of 11 migrants at sea