During a patrol and an operation to prevent the illegal entry of immigrants from Turkey, the border guard was injured by shots fired from the Turkish side, according to a relevant announcement by the Hellenic Police. 

In particular, according to the Hellenic Police: 

“Today, Saturday, July 20, 2024, at around 6:20 p.m. in a remote area of ​​Soufli Evros, Greek border guards who were patrolling the area and during an operation to prevent the illegal entry of immigrants from Turkey into our country, were shot by unknown persons located on the Turkish side.

A Greek border guard was injured by the shots, and was immediately taken to Didymoteicho Hospital for first aid.

The whole incident is being investigated by the competent Greek authorities.”

The question that arises is whether or not the rules of engagement and in particular the right to self-defence were applied.

The Greek border guard remains out of danger, but in the Intensive Care Unit, after the surgery he underwent. In fact, he is expected to meet his family by noon.

According to the doctors who operated on the 55-year-old, he was very lucky because if the bullet had gone two millimeters lower, things would have been more difficult.

At the same time, an investigation by the Hellenic Police is in full progress, to establish who shot the Greek border guard. According to information, the Greek authorities are considering the possibility that the shots from the Turkish side came from the smugglers of the immigrants.

It should be noted that this is not the first time that Greek border guards or military personnel have come under fire. Shootings have been reported from time to time, but so far there have been no injuries.

Trafficking networks are trying in every way to push immigrants into the country, as the second part of the Evros fence is being completed and illegal entry will become more difficult.

Also read: Evros | Fence almost completed – The Roborter system