Ninety-two migrants were allegedly forced to cross the Evros river from Turkey into Greece and were later discovered virtually naked and beaten. Greece has blamed Turkey for the incident it described as a "shame on civilisation."

In the most recent of several accusations regarding migration between the neighbours, Greek Minister of Civil Protection Takis Theodorikakos charged Turkey with "instrumentalising unlawful immigration."

Speaking to Skai Television, he claimed that many migrants told Frontex, the organisation in charge of monitoring EU borders, that "three Turkish army vehicles had transferred them" to the river, which serves as a natural boundary. The migrants were found with "visible injuries".

Ankara has vehemently refuted the accusations, instead blaming Athens for the "inhuman" situation, reported AFP.

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Taking to Twitter Fahrettin Altun top press aide for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We urge Greece to abandon its harsh treatment of refugees as soon as possible, to cease its baseless and false charges against Turkey".

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
We urge Greece to abandon its harsh treatment of refugees as soon as possible, to cease its baseless and false charges against Türkiye, and to deliver the dignity of government.
— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) <a href="https://twitter.com/fahrettinaltun/status/1581690761430462464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"With these futile and ridiculous efforts, Greece has shown once again to the entire world that it does not respect the dignity of refugees by posting these oppressed people's pictures it has deported after extorting their personal possessions," he added in another tweet.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
With these futile and ridiculous efforts, Greece has shown once again to the entire world that it does not respect the dignity of refugees by posting these oppressed people’s pictures it has deported after extorting their personal possessions.
— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) <a href="https://twitter.com/fahrettinaltun/status/1581690757206798338?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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As per AFP, in the past, NGOs and the media have frequently accused Athens of forcefully attempting to push migrants back into Turkey on several occasions; however, Athens has consistently refuted these claims.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-and-his-truth-social-app-broke-federal-securities-laws-alleges-whistleblower-525971" hreflang="en">Donald Trump and his Truth Social app broke federal securities laws alleges whistleblower</a>

In a tweet, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR too expressed its "deep" distress&nbsp;at the horrifying accounts and pictures of 92 persons who were reportedly discovered at the Greek-Turkish land border "stripped of their clothes".

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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UNHCR is deeply distressed by the shocking reports and images of 92 people, who were reported to have been found at the Greek-Turkish land border, stripped of their clothes. 
 
We condemn such cruel and degrading treatment and call for a full investigation into this incident.
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) <a href="https://twitter.com/Refugees/status/1581649909824237568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ninety-two migrants were allegedly forced to cross the Evros river from Turkey into Greece and were later discovered virtually naked and beaten. Greece has blamed Turkey for the incident it described as a "shame on civilisation.

Ninety-two migrants were allegedly forced to cross the Evros river from Turkey into Greece and were later discovered virtually naked and beaten. Greece has blamed Turkey for the incident it described as a "shame on civilisation." In the most recent of several accusations regarding migration between the neighbours, Greek Minister of Civil Protection Takis Theodorikakos charged Turkey with "instrumentalising unlawful immigration." Speaking to Skai Television, he claimed that many migrants told Frontex, the organisation in charge of monitoring EU borders, that "three Turkish army vehicles had transferred them" to the river, which serves as a natural boundary. The migrants were found with "visible injuries". Ankara has vehemently refuted the accusations, instead blaming Athens for the "inhuman" situation, reported AFP. Also read | South Korea begins military drills as fears loom over North Korean nuclear test Taking to Twitter Fahrettin Altun top press aide for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, "We urge Greece to abandon its harsh treatment of refugees as soon as possible, to cease its baseless and false charges against Turkey". We urge Greece to abandon its harsh treatment of refugees as soon as possible, to cease its baseless and false charges against Türkiye, and to deliver the dignity of government. — Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) October 16, 2022 × "With these futile and ridiculous efforts, Greece has shown once again to the entire world that it does not respect the dignity of refugees by posting these oppressed people's pictures it has deported after extorting their personal possessions," he added in another tweet. With these futile and ridiculous efforts, Greece has shown once again to the entire world that it does not respect the dignity of refugees by posting these oppressed people’s pictures it has deported after extorting their personal possessions. — Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) October 16, 2022 × As per AFP, in the past, NGOs and the media have frequently accused Athens of forcefully attempting to push migrants back into Turkey on several occasions; however, Athens has consistently refuted these claims. Also read | Donald Trump and his Truth Social app broke federal securities laws alleges whistleblower In a tweet, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR too expressed its "deep" distress at the horrifying accounts and pictures of 92 persons who were reportedly discovered at the Greek-Turkish land border "stripped of their clothes". UNHCR is deeply distressed by the shocking reports and images of 92 people, who were reported to have been found at the Greek-Turkish land border, stripped of their clothes. We condemn such cruel and degrading treatment and call for a full investigation into this incident. — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) October 16, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

UNHCR 'deeply distressed' by reports of 92 naked migrants at Greece-Turkey border as neighbours exchange blame

The French have been fighting the war against radical Islam on two levels: it is cracking down on extremists at home while taking on the challenge from the Muslim leaders abroad specifically Turkey.

After Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods, Paris mounted a diplomatic offensive. For weeks, Erdogan berated the French president and even hurled insults but with these comments, Erdogan went a step too far.

Watch |&nbsp;

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The French government immediately decided to recall its ambassador from Turkey. France and Turkey have been at loggerheads over a range of issues but Erdogan's attack against Macron was a new low.

The ties between Turkey and France have hit rock bottom. When Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods in the eyes of several European leaders, the Turkish president went a step too far.

Now France could be planning a retaliation. The Macron government is reportedly leading a diplomatic effort for sanctions against Turkey at the European Union. The plan is to target Turkey over its provocations in the eastern Mediterranean which is a region rich in natural resources where Greece and Turkey have overlapping claims.

The French believe Erdogan has failed to pay heed to the warnings of the bloc. European leaders wanted Turkey to back down from its aggressive gas exploration. A detailed list of sanctions is yet to be drawn up but reports say the sanctions could hit the Turkish economy limiting hydrocarbon exploration and dealing a blow to its shipping, banking and energy sectors.

In its fight against Turkey, France should be able to count on Germany for support. In October, German chancellor Angela Merkel appeared before the press after a meeting in Brussels she said European powers agree Turkey's actions have been provocative and unnecessary.

However, it seems Turkey is not interested in following Europe's path. Last month, Erdogan paid a visit to northern Cyprus which is a disputed territory. Northern Cyprus is 36 per cent of the total area of Cyprus which Turkey recognises as the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus while the United Nations says the disputed mass of land is currently under Turkish occupation.

Erdogan's visit angered Cyprus with Greece too condemning it. France has reportedly convinced both countries and they are ready to back sanctions against Turkey.&nbsp;

The French have been fighting the war against radical Islam on two levels: it is cracking down on extremists at home while taking on the challenge from the Muslim leaders abroad specifically Turkey.

The French have been fighting the war against radical Islam on two levels: it is cracking down on extremists at home while taking on the challenge from the Muslim leaders abroad specifically Turkey. After Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods, Paris mounted a diplomatic offensive. For weeks, Erdogan berated the French president and even hurled insults but with these comments, Erdogan went a step too far. Watch | The French government immediately decided to recall its ambassador from Turkey. France and Turkey have been at loggerheads over a range of issues but Erdogan's attack against Macron was a new low. The ties between Turkey and France have hit rock bottom. When Erdogan called for a boycott of French goods in the eyes of several European leaders, the Turkish president went a step too far. Now France could be planning a retaliation. The Macron government is reportedly leading a diplomatic effort for sanctions against Turkey at the European Union. The plan is to target Turkey over its provocations in the eastern Mediterranean which is a region rich in natural resources where Greece and Turkey have overlapping claims. The French believe Erdogan has failed to pay heed to the warnings of the bloc. European leaders wanted Turkey to back down from its aggressive gas exploration. A detailed list of sanctions is yet to be drawn up but reports say the sanctions could hit the Turkish economy limiting hydrocarbon exploration and dealing a blow to its shipping, banking and energy sectors. In its fight against Turkey, France should be able to count on Germany for support. In October, German chancellor Angela Merkel appeared before the press after a meeting in Brussels she said European powers agree Turkey's actions have been provocative and unnecessary. However, it seems Turkey is not interested in following Europe's path. Last month, Erdogan paid a visit to northern Cyprus which is a disputed territory. Northern Cyprus is 36 per cent of the total area of Cyprus which Turkey recognises as the Turkish republic of northern Cyprus while the United Nations says the disputed mass of land is currently under Turkish occupation. Erdogan's visit angered Cyprus with Greece too condemning it. France has reportedly convinced both countries and they are ready to back sanctions against Turkey.

France targets sanctions against Turkey in European Union with Greece, Cyprus support

Greece&nbsp;accused Turkey on Thursday of deliberately holding up a government aircraft carrying its foreign minister Nikos Dendias home from Iraq, leaving it circling for 20 minutes before granting it permission to cross Turkish airspace.

Turkey denied the accusation, saying the aircraft had taken off from Iraq without a flight plan but had been allowed to pass once one was procured.

The incident comes amid renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey over sea boundaries and energy drilling rights, after Ankara redeployed its search vessel, Oruc Reis, this week for a new energy exploration mission in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean.

Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said&nbsp;Greece's foreign ministry had sent a demarche to Turkish authorities on the incident.

"It is one more provocation in a series of provocations from the Turkish side," Petsas told reporters, adding, "but we will remain on the fact that various explanations were given by the Turkish side, and we hope this phenomenon, and this event, will never be repeated again in the future."

Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy dismissed the suggestion that the plane carrying Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had been deliberately held up as a provocation to Athens.

"The plane in question took off from Iraq without presenting a flight plan. When the plane entered our air space, a flight plan was urgently requested from Iraqi authorities, and the flight was safely carried out after the plan was received," he said.

He said Turkey had granted permission to a Greek request for the minister's plane to pass over its air space en route to Iraq on October 14.

After that plane malfunctioned in Iraq,&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;sent a second aircraft which was also granted permission to fly through Turkish air space, "with the same flight permission number, without any delay", Aksoy said.

Separately on Thursday, France and Germany accused Turkey of continuing to provoke the European Union with its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, and gave it a week to clarify its positions.

Despite an EU summit deal on Oct. 2 aimed at persuading Ankara to stop exploring for natural gas in waters disputed by&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;and Cyprus, Turkey said on Wednesday it was restarting operations of a survey ship.

The European Union said it would review the possibility of sanctions on Turkey at a European summit in December.

EU leaders are to meet in Brussels on Thursday, where&nbsp;Greece&nbsp;is expected to raise the gas dispute issue.

Greece accused Turkey on Thursday of deliberately holding up a government aircraft carrying its foreign minister Nikos Dendias home from Iraq, leaving it circling for 20 minutes before granting it permission to cross Turkish airspace.

Greece accused Turkey on Thursday of deliberately holding up a government aircraft carrying its foreign minister Nikos Dendias home from Iraq, leaving it circling for 20 minutes before granting it permission to cross Turkish airspace. Turkey denied the accusation, saying the aircraft had taken off from Iraq without a flight plan but had been allowed to pass once one was procured. The incident comes amid renewed tensions between Greece and Turkey over sea boundaries and energy drilling rights, after Ankara redeployed its search vessel, Oruc Reis, this week for a new energy exploration mission in disputed waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Greece's foreign ministry had sent a demarche to Turkish authorities on the incident. "It is one more provocation in a series of provocations from the Turkish side," Petsas told reporters, adding, "but we will remain on the fact that various explanations were given by the Turkish side, and we hope this phenomenon, and this event, will never be repeated again in the future." Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy dismissed the suggestion that the plane carrying Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias had been deliberately held up as a provocation to Athens. "The plane in question took off from Iraq without presenting a flight plan. When the plane entered our air space, a flight plan was urgently requested from Iraqi authorities, and the flight was safely carried out after the plan was received," he said. He said Turkey had granted permission to a Greek request for the minister's plane to pass over its air space en route to Iraq on October 14. After that plane malfunctioned in Iraq, Greece sent a second aircraft which was also granted permission to fly through Turkish air space, "with the same flight permission number, without any delay", Aksoy said. Separately on Thursday, France and Germany accused Turkey of continuing to provoke the European Union with its actions in the eastern Mediterranean, and gave it a week to clarify its positions. Despite an EU summit deal on Oct. 2 aimed at persuading Ankara to stop exploring for natural gas in waters disputed by Greece and Cyprus, Turkey said on Wednesday it was restarting operations of a survey ship. The European Union said it would review the possibility of sanctions on Turkey at a European summit in December. EU leaders are to meet in Brussels on Thursday, where Greece is expected to raise the gas dispute issue.

Greece accuses Turkey of delaying foreign minister's plane

Germany on Tuesday cautioned Turkey against its "cycle of detente and provocation"&nbsp;in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The warning came after&nbsp;Turkey redeployed&nbsp;a research ship at the centre of tensions with Greece over energy and maritime rights.

"If there should be renewed Turkish gas exploration in the more controversial sea areas in the eastern Mediterranean, this would be a serious setback for efforts to de-escalate," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said ahead of a trip to Cyprus and Greece.

"Ankara must end the cycle of detente and provocation if the government is interested in talks," said Maas, whose country heads the rotating presidency of the European Union.

The Turkish navy said the Oruc Reis ship will restart activities in the region, including the south of Kastellorizo, until October 22 in a message sent to the maritime alert system NAVTEX late on Sunday.

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Greece refused to hold&nbsp;talks with Turkey on defusing tension in the&nbsp;Mediterranean region unless Ankara withdraws an energy research ship from contested areas.

"(Greece) will not sit at the table for exploratory talks while the Oruc Reis and escorting warships are out there," Minister of State George Gerapetritis told Parapolitika radio.

He said Athens would "emphatically" raise the dispute at a European council meeting starting Thursday.

The deployment of&nbsp;Oruc Reis by Turkey had&nbsp;triggered diplomatic tensions and rival naval manoeuvres in August when it searched for oil and gas deposits, before Turkey pulled it back to shore last month.

Germany on Tuesday cautioned Turkey against its "cycle of detente and provocation" in the Eastern Mediterranean. The warning came after Turkey redeployed a research ship at the centre of tensions with Greece over energy and maritime rights.

Germany on Tuesday cautioned Turkey against its "cycle of detente and provocation" in the Eastern Mediterranean. The warning came after Turkey redeployed a research ship at the centre of tensions with Greece over energy and maritime rights. "If there should be renewed Turkish gas exploration in the more controversial sea areas in the eastern Mediterranean, this would be a serious setback for efforts to de-escalate," Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said ahead of a trip to Cyprus and Greece. "Ankara must end the cycle of detente and provocation if the government is interested in talks," said Maas, whose country heads the rotating presidency of the European Union. The Turkish navy said the Oruc Reis ship will restart activities in the region, including the south of Kastellorizo, until October 22 in a message sent to the maritime alert system NAVTEX late on Sunday. Meanwhile, Greece refused to hold talks with Turkey on defusing tension in the Mediterranean region unless Ankara withdraws an energy research ship from contested areas. "(Greece) will not sit at the table for exploratory talks while the Oruc Reis and escorting warships are out there," Minister of State George Gerapetritis told Parapolitika radio. He said Athens would "emphatically" raise the dispute at a European council meeting starting Thursday. The deployment of Oruc Reis by Turkey had triggered diplomatic tensions and rival naval manoeuvres in August when it searched for oil and gas deposits, before Turkey pulled it back to shore last month.

Mediterranean crisis: Germany warns Turkey against 'provocation'

Greece and Turkey set up a military hotline on Thursday to avoid accidental clashes in the eastern Mediterranean, where they are at loggerheads over energy resources and maritime borders, NATO said.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the breakthrough, which comes after several weeks of talks between military officials from the two alliance members.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/turkey-versus-greece-a-long-history-of-disputes-323392">Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes</a>

The two NATO members agreed to the talks after a standoff over gas exploration in contested waters led to a dramatic ramping-up of tensions, stoking fears that conflict could erupt, perhaps by accident.

"Following a series of technical meetings between the military representatives of Greece and Turkey at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, a bilateral military de-confliction mechanism was established on Thursday," NATO said in a statement.&nbsp;

"The mechanism is designed to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean. It includes the creation of a hotline between Greece and Turkey, to facilitate de-confliction at sea or in the air."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-greece-turkey-are-fighting-over-hydrocarbons-in-mediterranean-sea-320304">Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea</a>

Tensions between Greece and Turkey have eased somewhat in the last couple of weeks and the two governments have agreed to begin exploratory talks to resolve their dispute.

Stoltenberg thanked both sides for their "constructive engagement".

"This safety mechanism can help to create the space for diplomatic efforts to address the underlying dispute and we stand ready to develop it further," Stoltenberg said.

The announcement of the breakthrough came as EU leaders began tough summit talks on their relations with Turkey.

Greece and Turkey set up a military hotline on Thursday to avoid accidental clashes in the eastern Mediterranean, where they are at loggerheads over energy resources and maritime borders, NATO said.

Greece and Turkey set up a military hotline on Thursday to avoid accidental clashes in the eastern Mediterranean, where they are at loggerheads over energy resources and maritime borders, NATO said. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the breakthrough, which comes after several weeks of talks between military officials from the two alliance members. Also see: Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes The two NATO members agreed to the talks after a standoff over gas exploration in contested waters led to a dramatic ramping-up of tensions, stoking fears that conflict could erupt, perhaps by accident. "Following a series of technical meetings between the military representatives of Greece and Turkey at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, a bilateral military de-confliction mechanism was established on Thursday," NATO said in a statement. "The mechanism is designed to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents in the Eastern Mediterranean. It includes the creation of a hotline between Greece and Turkey, to facilitate de-confliction at sea or in the air." Also read: Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea Tensions between Greece and Turkey have eased somewhat in the last couple of weeks and the two governments have agreed to begin exploratory talks to resolve their dispute. Stoltenberg thanked both sides for their "constructive engagement". "This safety mechanism can help to create the space for diplomatic efforts to address the underlying dispute and we stand ready to develop it further," Stoltenberg said. The announcement of the breakthrough came as EU leaders began tough summit talks on their relations with Turkey.

Greece, Turkey set up hotline to avoid clashes in Eastern Mediterranean, says NATO

Greece will boost its armed forces through the purchase of 18 Dassault-made Rafale fighter jets and four frigates and will hire 15,000 army personnel over the next five years.