Two Turkish nationals were sent to prison after authorities arrested them following a high-speed chase off the coast of Rhodes on 1 March.
Officers of the Hellenic Coast Guard apprehended the men in the Gennadi area of Rhodes after pursuing their speedboat during a scheduled patrol.
The suspects, aged 25 and 28, transported 58 foreign nationals, including 23 minors, from the Turkish coast to Rhodes. Other migrants identified them as the vessel’s operators.
Defendants admit involvement
During pre-trial testimony, both men admitted their participation in a migrant smuggling network operating for financial gain. They described contacts, internal movements within Turkey, instructions received through mobile applications and the loading process before reaching Rhodes.
The 25-year-old, a resident of Samsun, said he sought to leave Turkey for financial reasons and travel to Greece. He claimed a compatriot offered assistance on the condition that he helped transport migrants. He stated that he would serve in a supporting role to the captain.
He described flying from Istanbul to Antalya and travelling by road to Finike. There, he received a contact number and instructions via an application to share his location. A vehicle towing a trailer carrying an inflatable boat later appeared. He said they were instructed to head out to sea and await further directions.
After about an hour, they received coordinates for a loading point. On the evening of 28 February 2026, they approached a beach near Finike, boarded several individuals and set course for Rhodes following app-based guidance.
He said they disembarked the migrants in Gennadi during the early hours of 1 March 2026 and immediately began returning to Turkey when coast guard officers intercepted them. He acknowledged that he knew the passengers were irregular migrants. When asked about payment, he claimed his compensation would have been permission to remain in Greece, adding that he did not manage to disembark.
Captain expected €6,000 payment
The 28-year-old defendant, who said he worked as a seaman organising trips to Greek islands, also admitted the charge. He stated that he joined an online group seeking captains in exchange for high pay. Facing serious financial difficulties, he said he suspected from the outset that the activity was illegal.
He reported receiving a notification days before the incident and travelling within Turkey, where he met the 25-year-old. He described moving to a coastal area, collecting the boat on a trailer and conducting a sea trial. He said organisers provided a mobile phone for communication and navigation.
He confirmed that they approached a beach near Finike, boarded the migrants, followed transmitted coordinates towards Rhodes and disembarked them in Gennadi on the morning of 1 March 2026. He admitted he knew the passengers were irregular migrants and said he needed the money.
When questioned about payment, he stated that he expected to receive €6,000 after returning the boat to Turkey.
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