Greek MEP Kostas Papadakis (NI) has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission, calling for an investigation into allegations that Greek authorities recruit refugees and migrants as 'mercenaries' to carry out abuses—including sexual assaults and robberies—against other refugees and migrants at the Greek-Turkish border in Evros. The question, filed on 20 April 2026, cites a BBC report and a Frontex incident report from December 2025 as evidence.
first, that the Commission investigate the complaints and hold accountable those responsible among Greek authorities and Frontex; second, that the Commission address the alleged link between these practices and EU migration policy, which Papadakis argues legitimises pushbacks through the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and the new regulation on returns and safe countries.
The MEP frames the allegations as a direct consequence of EU border enforcement policies, accusing the bloc of fostering a 'repressive' environment that enables exploitation. He calls for accountability and a shift away from what he describes as a policy of expulsions.
The Commission is required to respond within approximately six weeks. Its answer will signal whether it views the allegations as credible and whether it plans to take action, or whether it defends current border practices.