Frontex is currently investigating two allegations regarding illegal pushbacks of migrants in the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece, the European Union's border management agency announced on Thursday (May 23).

The announcement came in response to a news report by German public broadcasters NDR and WDR. Frontex said it was taking the allegations seriously and that two probes had been initiated. The border patrol agency, however, declined to provide further details as investigations were ongoing.

Investigation no. 1: Masked men threaten migrants with sticks

Citing video footage, NDR and WDR reported that on January 25, 2024, masked men in a small boat approached a dinghy carrying about 30 people in the Aegean Sea. The small boat belonged to the Greek coast guard, according to the report. The masked men can be seen threatening the migrants with sticks. In the background, a Frontex-deployed Latvian coast guard ship can be spotted. A few hours later, the dinghy was reportedly intercepted by the Turkish coastguard in Turkish waters.

A comparison of the Turkish coast guard's statement on the incident and the available video footage suggests that it is the same boat with the same people.

Investigation no. 2: Frontex dismisses cries for help

In the second alleged pushback – said to have taken place on February 19, 2024 – Frontex did not intervene, according to the German broadcasters.

Around 30 people – including children – aboard an inflatable dinghy in the Aegean called for help when other boats were nearby, NDR and WDR reported, citing video recordings made available to them.

One of the larger ships in close vicinity was deployed for Frontex and carried the flag of the Bulgarian coastguard. However, the migrants were not brought to safety in Greece and ended up in Turkish waters.

An eyewitness later told reporters that Greek officials had pushed the dinghy back into Turkish waters, but the statement could not be verified.

Frontex chief Hans Leijtens, who has been in office for only a year, has vowed to investigate all allegations made against Frontex staff and to punish any violations. His predecessor, Fabrice Leggeri, resigned from the post last year following allegations of Frontex complicity in the illegal pushbacks of asylum seekers.

Frontex's new elite unit under fire

Frontex has also come under criticism from member states over its new uniformed unit – the standing corps. Standing corps officers have executive powers to perform border control, facilitate the returns of irregular migrants staying in Europe, and most notably – are allowed to carry a firearm.

Though a few countries praised the new force, member countries on the EU's external border were more critical. Spain said standing corps personnel cannot be deployed effectively, while Greece spoke out against the unit's selection process and training, stating that it was in need of improvement

Other countries such as Italy and France criticized the unit for not being adapted to the needs and requirements of EU member states.

The European Border and Coast Guard standing corps hopes to acquire 10,000 officers by 2027.

With DPA