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On March 4th, a man named Muhammad Gulzar was killed at the border of Greece and Turkey. At least six other people were wounded in the same incident.
Our latest investigation concludes that Greek forces likely fired the shots in question. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/05/08/the-killing-of-muhammad-gulzar/
Our latest investigation concludes that Greek forces likely fired the shots in question. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/05/08/the-killing-of-muhammad-gulzar/
In partnership with @LHReports, @ForensicArchi, with reporting from @derspiegel, we collected and analysed hundreds of pieces of evidence, including images, videos, witness testimony and expert opinions.
This investigation can be watched below: https://vimeo.com/416133368
This investigation can be watched below: https://vimeo.com/416133368
On March 4th the situation at the Greek-Turkish border was tense.
Refugees and migrants had been told by Turkish authorities that the border was open. They gathered at the gates, confused about what was happening.
Refugees and migrants had been told by Turkish authorities that the border was open. They gathered at the gates, confused about what was happening.
By midday at least 6 people would be wounded, and one killed.
This last person was named Muhammad Gulzar.
He had previously lived in Greece, but had returned to Pakistan in order to get married. He was at the border with his new wife in an attempt to return to Greece.
This last person was named Muhammad Gulzar.
He had previously lived in Greece, but had returned to Pakistan in order to get married. He was at the border with his new wife in an attempt to return to Greece.
We examined hundreds of videos and images of that morning, placing them in time & space.
Although some videos were live streams, some were not. By using distinct temporal markers, such as bursts of gunfire, we were able to synchronise videos and create a comprehensive timeline.
Although some videos were live streams, some were not. By using distinct temporal markers, such as bursts of gunfire, we were able to synchronise videos and create a comprehensive timeline.
We saw multiple casualties in these videos.
The clothes, unique injuries and the blankets they were carried in allowed us to trace their routes and worked out when they were shot.
The clothes, unique injuries and the blankets they were carried in allowed us to trace their routes and worked out when they were shot.
We identified Muhammad by pictures of him before and after he had been shot, some given to us by his widow, Sabah Khan.
The big question is who was firing live rounds that day?
The Greek government had dismissed as “fake news” reports of injuries and deaths caused by live fire from its forces. https://twitter.com/govgr/status/1235159908653445120?s=20
The Greek government had dismissed as “fake news” reports of injuries and deaths caused by live fire from its forces. https://twitter.com/govgr/status/1235159908653445120?s=20
However, multiple witnesses interviewed by
@derspiegel and heard on videos claim that Greek forces were using live ammunition.
We also obtained Gulzar’s death certificate, which stated that his injuries had been caused by a 5.56mm bullet.
@derspiegel and heard on videos claim that Greek forces were using live ammunition.
We also obtained Gulzar’s death certificate, which stated that his injuries had been caused by a 5.56mm bullet.
We asked an audio forensic expert to examine some of the videos. He identified that in one video the distinct signature of live rounds was clearly present.
When a supersonic round is fired, it produces two distinct sounds: the muzzle blast, and the shockwave of the bullet.
The first thing heard in the line of fire is a “crack” caused by the bullet's shockwave, followed by the “bang” of the muzzle blast. This was present in vid 25.
The first thing heard in the line of fire is a “crack” caused by the bullet's shockwave, followed by the “bang” of the muzzle blast. This was present in vid 25.
The time gap between the “crack” of the bullet and the “bang” of the muzzle blast indicated that whoever fired these shots was within 40-60 meters.
We can clearly identify that Greek soldiers are within that distance of the camera, just over the border fence.
We also hear the cameraman saying they are being shot at by the Greek army.
In a video taken on the Greek side of the border showing the same incident at precisely the same time, you can hear people intimating the Greek military “aimed”.
In a video taken on the Greek side of the border showing the same incident at precisely the same time, you can hear people intimating the Greek military “aimed”.
The only Turkish soldiers we identified at this time were at the border post.
However Greek forces, armed with M4 & M16 rifles and Minimi LMGs, were spread along the border fence that day. These weapons fire 5.56mm rounds, the same as the bullet which reportedly killed Gulzar.
However Greek forces, armed with M4 & M16 rifles and Minimi LMGs, were spread along the border fence that day. These weapons fire 5.56mm rounds, the same as the bullet which reportedly killed Gulzar.
Lawyers representing the family of Muhammad Gulzar will request that Greece launch an investigation to establish who was responsible for his killing.
All evidence we have gathered will be made available to investigating authorities. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/05/08/the-killing-of-muhammad-gulzar/
All evidence we have gathered will be made available to investigating authorities. https://www.bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2020/05/08/the-killing-of-muhammad-gulzar/
You can read reports for our partner organisations here:
@derspiegel https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/grenze-zwischen-griechenland-und-tuerkei-der-todesschuss-fall-muhammad-gulzar-a-75942fba-6caa-429c-9450-1d2251a5d96a
@derspiegel https://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/grenze-zwischen-griechenland-und-tuerkei-der-todesschuss-fall-muhammad-gulzar-a-75942fba-6caa-429c-9450-1d2251a5d96a
