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 |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-begins-military-drills-amid-speculations-over-north-korean-nuclear-test-525969" hreflang="en">South Korea begins military drills as fears loom over North Korean nuclear test</a>

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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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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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".

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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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(With inputs from agencies)

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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

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

Turkey and Greece have expressed that they are ready to resume exploratory talks, following weeks of tension in the eastern Mediterranean sea.

Greece to hold talks with Turkey over energy resources dispute

Now, Turkey stages military exercises in eastern Mediterranean amid tensions with Greece

Athens is ready for a "significant de-escalation" in the Eastern Mediterranean provided Turkey halts its "provocative actions", Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday.

Mitsotakis made the comments during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, as the row between the two neighbours over gas and maritime borders ratcheted up another notch.

Earlier,&nbsp;Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said&nbsp;Turkey was ready for talks with Greece&nbsp;without any preconditions.

"We are in favour of negotiations for fair sharing but nobody should lay down preconditions. This cannot happen with preconditions laid down by Greece."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mediterranean-row-turkey-says-ready-for-talks-with-greece-without-preconditions-323121">Mediterranean row: Turkey says ready for talks with Greece without 'preconditions'</a>

Greece and its EU allies held war games in the Mediterranean Wednesday while Turkey conducted drills with the US navy nearby, as the row between the two neighbours over gas and maritime borders ratcheted up another notch.

The convergence of a growing number of warships on an energy-rich but disputed patch of sea between Cyprus and Crete came as NATO and a host of European officials called for cooler heads to prevail.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-conducted-mediterranean-exercise-with-us-323260" hreflang="en">Turkey says conducted Mediterranean exercise with US</a>

Tensions ratched up another notch when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by warships to disputed waters on August 10.

EU powerhouse Germany is spearheading efforts to avoid an outright military conflict that could imperil Europe's future access to newly-discovered energy reserves.

Greece's maritime claims are backed by the entire European Union, but the bloc has so far held back from heavily sanctioning&nbsp;Turkey, fearing possible retaliation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Maas shuttled between Athens and Ankara on Tuesday in a bid to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and re-enter direct talks.

After both visits were over, Maas conceded that the dispute had entered a "very critical" phase.

Cavusoglu praised the German mediation effort but said Ankara made a good faith gesture by announcing a pause to its exploration activity last month.

He argued that&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;felt it had to resume its work when Greece signed an agreement with Egypt to set up an exclusive economic zone on August 6, violating a general sense of goodwill.

On Sunday,&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;announced a decision to extend its exploratory ship Oruc Reis's mission by an extra four days to Thursday, which prompted an immediate Greek response to carry out naval exercises nearby.&nbsp;

Athens is ready for a "significant de-escalation" in the Eastern Mediterranean provided Turkey halts its "provocative actions", Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday.

Athens is ready for a "significant de-escalation" in the Eastern Mediterranean provided Turkey halts its "provocative actions", Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said Wednesday. Mitsotakis made the comments during a phone call with US President Donald Trump, as the row between the two neighbours over gas and maritime borders ratcheted up another notch. Earlier, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu had said Turkey was ready for talks with Greece without any preconditions. "We are in favour of negotiations for fair sharing but nobody should lay down preconditions. This cannot happen with preconditions laid down by Greece." Also read: Mediterranean row: Turkey says ready for talks with Greece without 'preconditions' Greece and its EU allies held war games in the Mediterranean Wednesday while Turkey conducted drills with the US navy nearby, as the row between the two neighbours over gas and maritime borders ratcheted up another notch. The convergence of a growing number of warships on an energy-rich but disputed patch of sea between Cyprus and Crete came as NATO and a host of European officials called for cooler heads to prevail. Also read: Turkey says conducted Mediterranean exercise with US Tensions ratched up another notch when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by warships to disputed waters on August 10. EU powerhouse Germany is spearheading efforts to avoid an outright military conflict that could imperil Europe's future access to newly-discovered energy reserves. Greece's maritime claims are backed by the entire European Union, but the bloc has so far held back from heavily sanctioning Turkey, fearing possible retaliation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Maas shuttled between Athens and Ankara on Tuesday in a bid to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and re-enter direct talks. After both visits were over, Maas conceded that the dispute had entered a "very critical" phase. Cavusoglu praised the German mediation effort but said Ankara made a good faith gesture by announcing a pause to its exploration activity last month. He argued that Turkey felt it had to resume its work when Greece signed an agreement with Egypt to set up an exclusive economic zone on August 6, violating a general sense of goodwill. On Sunday, Turkey announced a decision to extend its exploratory ship Oruc Reis's mission by an extra four days to Thursday, which prompted an immediate Greek response to carry out naval exercises nearby.

Greek Prime Minister offers 'de-escalation' if Turkey eases off in Eastern Mediterranean

Turkey versus Greece: A long history of disputes

Turkey&nbsp;said on Tuesday it was ready for talks with Greece in their growing row over eastern Mediterranean natural gas without any preconditions.

The olive branch came as the two uneasy NATO allies' navies conducted separate exercises close to each other just south of Crete in a mutual show of force.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-greece-announce-rival-military-exercises-in-tense-east-mediterranean-322869" hreflang="en">Turkey, Greece announce rival military exercises in tense east Mediterranean</a>

"We are in favour of negotiations for fair sharing but nobody should lay down preconditions. This cannot happen with preconditions laid down by Greece," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said after talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Ankara.

Greece said it will launch military exercises Wednesday with France, Italy and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, the focus of escalating tensions between Athens and Ankara.

The joint exercises south of Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete will last three days, the defence ministry said.

The discovery of major gas deposits in waters surrounding Crete and Cyprus has triggered a scramble for energy riches and revived old rivalries between NATO members Greece and Turkey.

Tensions ratched up another notch when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by warships to disputed waters on August 10.

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>

EU powerhouse Germany is spearheading efforts to avoid an outright military conflict that could imperil Europe's future access to newly-discovered energy reserves.

Greece's maritime claims are backed by the entire European Union, but the bloc has so far held back from heavily sanctioning&nbsp;Turkey, fearing possible retaliation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Maas shuttled between Athens and Ankara on Tuesday in a bid to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and re-enter direct talks.

After both visits were over, Maas conceded that the dispute had entered a "very critical" phase.

Nevertheless, "no one wants to solve this issue in a militaristic way," Maas said through a translator, "and there is a willingness on both sides for dialogue."

Cavusoglu praised the German mediation effort but said Ankara made a good faith gesture by announcing a pause to its exploration activity last month.

He argued that&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;felt it had to resume its work when Greece signed an agreement with Egypt to set up an exclusive economic zone on August 6, violating a general sense of goodwill.

On Sunday,&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;announced a decision to extend its exploratory ship Oruc Reis's mission by an extra four days to Thursday, which prompted an immediate Greek response to carry out naval exercises nearby.&nbsp;

Turkey said on Tuesday it was ready for talks with Greece in their growing row over eastern Mediterranean natural gas without any preconditions. The olive branch came as the two uneasy NATO allies' navies conducted separate exercises close to each other just south of Crete in a mutual show of force.

Turkey said on Tuesday it was ready for talks with Greece in their growing row over eastern Mediterranean natural gas without any preconditions. The olive branch came as the two uneasy NATO allies' navies conducted separate exercises close to each other just south of Crete in a mutual show of force. Also read: Turkey, Greece announce rival military exercises in tense east Mediterranean "We are in favour of negotiations for fair sharing but nobody should lay down preconditions. This cannot happen with preconditions laid down by Greece," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said after talks with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Ankara. Greece said it will launch military exercises Wednesday with France, Italy and Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean, the focus of escalating tensions between Athens and Ankara. The joint exercises south of Cyprus and the Greek island of Crete will last three days, the defence ministry said. The discovery of major gas deposits in waters surrounding Crete and Cyprus has triggered a scramble for energy riches and revived old rivalries between NATO members Greece and Turkey. Tensions ratched up another notch when Turkey sent the Oruc Reis research vessel accompanied by warships to disputed waters on August 10. Also read: Why Greece, Turkey are fighting over hydrocarbons in Mediterranean Sea EU powerhouse Germany is spearheading efforts to avoid an outright military conflict that could imperil Europe's future access to newly-discovered energy reserves. Greece's maritime claims are backed by the entire European Union, but the bloc has so far held back from heavily sanctioning Turkey, fearing possible retaliation from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Maas shuttled between Athens and Ankara on Tuesday in a bid to get the sides to temper the rhetoric and re-enter direct talks. After both visits were over, Maas conceded that the dispute had entered a "very critical" phase. Nevertheless, "no one wants to solve this issue in a militaristic way," Maas said through a translator, "and there is a willingness on both sides for dialogue." Cavusoglu praised the German mediation effort but said Ankara made a good faith gesture by announcing a pause to its exploration activity last month. He argued that Turkey felt it had to resume its work when Greece signed an agreement with Egypt to set up an exclusive economic zone on August 6, violating a general sense of goodwill. On Sunday, Turkey announced a decision to extend its exploratory ship Oruc Reis's mission by an extra four days to Thursday, which prompted an immediate Greek response to carry out naval exercises nearby.

Mediterranean row: Turkey says ready for talks with Greece without 'preconditions'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Friday to step up the search for energy in the Mediterranean by the end of the year, despite tensions with Greece and the rest of the EU.

"We are going to speed up our operations in the Mediterranean with the deployment by the end of the year of the Kanuni (drilling ship), which is currently in maintenance," Erdogan said in a keynote address in Istanbul.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-eastern-mediterranean-has-become-a-crisis-centre-for-europe-322001">Why eastern Mediterranean has become a crisis centre for Europe</a>

A new geopolitical storm brewing in the Mediterranean threatens to become a multinational conflict and it could engulf Europe.

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Currently, there are two factions, on one hand, there are European countries like France, Cyprus and Greece, one the other there's Turkey - a country that wants to establish a modern-day Islamic Caliphate and is taking a cue from China's expansionism.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been militarising the eastern Mediterranean region where several geopolitical faultlines converge.

There are maritime boundary disputes, claims and counterclaims of sovereignty which were local affairs but in the last five years it has become serious due to the strategic value of the area and the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves which is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars and therefore conflicts over these reserves have began.

Earlier this month, Greek and Turkish vessels collided in the eastern Mediterranean region as both sides called the collision an "accident", however, what followed&nbsp;tells a different story.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Friday to step up the search for energy in the Mediterranean by the end of the year, despite tensions with Greece and the rest of the EU.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed on Friday to step up the search for energy in the Mediterranean by the end of the year, despite tensions with Greece and the rest of the EU. "We are going to speed up our operations in the Mediterranean with the deployment by the end of the year of the Kanuni (drilling ship), which is currently in maintenance," Erdogan said in a keynote address in Istanbul. Also read: Why eastern Mediterranean has become a crisis centre for Europe A new geopolitical storm brewing in the Mediterranean threatens to become a multinational conflict and it could engulf Europe. × Currently, there are two factions, on one hand, there are European countries like France, Cyprus and Greece, one the other there's Turkey - a country that wants to establish a modern-day Islamic Caliphate and is taking a cue from China's expansionism. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been militarising the eastern Mediterranean region where several geopolitical faultlines converge. There are maritime boundary disputes, claims and counterclaims of sovereignty which were local affairs but in the last five years it has become serious due to the strategic value of the area and the discovery of offshore natural gas reserves which is estimated to be worth trillions of dollars and therefore conflicts over these reserves have began. Earlier this month, Greek and Turkish vessels collided in the eastern Mediterranean region as both sides called the collision an "accident", however, what followed tells a different story.

Turkey to step up Mediterranean energy exploration by year-end: Erdogan

Greece has put its armed forces on alert after Turkey sent a survey ship to a disputed area of the Mediterranean sea. Watch report.

Greece-Turkey tensions: 'Turkish provocation won't go unanswered', says Greece