A 21-year-old Azerbaijani man was arrested after illegally entering Greece by jet ski from the Turkish coast to the island of Symi, authorities announced on Tuesday.
He told investigators he had paid €2,000 to a smuggler for the high-speed journey across the Aegean.
The incident unfolded during a routine patrol by the Hellenic Coast Guard, which spotted a jet ski travelling at high speed from Türkiye toward the northwestern coast of Symi. The watercraft reached the Agios Aimilianos area, where it dropped off the Azerbaijani national before quickly attempting to flee back toward Türkiye.
Coast Guard officers pursued the vehicle, eventually managing to stop it despite a series of dangerous evasive manoeuvres. The 42-year-old Turkish driver, identified as the trafficker, was arrested and taken into custody at the port of Symi.
Meanwhile, officers located the disembarked passenger in the Myrtariotissa area. During questioning, he confirmed that the Turkish driver was the smuggler and that he had paid him €2,000 for the trip from Türkiye.
The Symi Port Authority is conducting a preliminary investigation into the incident. The jet ski has been confiscated, and the Turkish national is facing charges of migrant smuggling.
(Source: Amna)
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on Google News and Apple News.
