1/That's the usual from Kathimerini, a right-wing paper which regularly pushes the police and gov agendas on migration. So a few thoughts on the article (disclaimer - am from Evros & research borders in Evros) https://twitter.com/BrunoTersago/status/1198574045127675905

2/statement by police association on residents concerned because they 'do not know their (border crossers') intentions': Stoking up fear - there've been no attacks on residents, nothing reported in the local news (sort of ...) websites, who'd have a field day otherwise

3/... and get their info directly from the police in any case. The police applies the trafficker (academic point: should b smuggler) label very liberally. Thanks to EU & Greek policies, there's no other way to move. People used to use local buses; e.g. bought tickets in Orestiada

4/...police would come onto bus & arrest them 10 minutes into journey. Same for Alexandroupoli to Thessaloniki. Nice little earner for bus company. I saw this happen last year/early this year. In the summer, this seems to have changed - people don't seem to use the buses as much

5/ .... but more try to make it inland using side roads on cars or foot or following the train tracks. Since last year, many died on car accidents following police pursuits in the Egnatia, hit by trains, or found dead in the Evros countryside. 1 today - https://www.e-evros.gr/gr/eidhseis/3/ptwma-nearoy-andra-bre8hke-se-agrotikh-perioxh-ston-ebro/post39058 .

6/The police & gov talk of smugglers & number of arrests, but of course not of systematic pushbacks. They've always happened in Evros but since 2017 they have increased expotentially. Based on stats I've seen on people arrested in Turkey for crossing without authorisation

7/... from Greece, could over 20,000 between July - October this year. Not entirely certain how stats are compiled/created, could include people crossing for other reasons, but very kinda difficult to believe they're not pushbacks given deportations etc in TR.

8/The Greek authorities deny everything despite hundreds of testimonies collected by NGOs etc which also refer to use of violence & theft of personal belongings - common crimes. Incidents investigated by the same police forced that were accused of perpetrating them - see

9/ https://rm.coe.int/1680930c9c . Fingers crossed for prosecutions, but not holding my breath. EU incl. Frontex know all, but control of external borders etc - same narrative used by GR gov to excuse everything. Plus Evros seen as a special case - historically protecting borders ...

10/against enemies, nationalist narratives v. dominant in area. No strong solidarity networks as in big cities. Oh, and Frontex are in Evros so how can pushbacks been happening with them present, says the Ministry... https://rm.coe.int/comments-by-the-greek-authorities-to-the-report-of-the-council-of-euro/16809078d4