Greek Border Guard Injured in Shooting at Greek-Turkish Border

A Greek border guard was shot while patrolling the Greek-Turkish border near the Evros River. The injuries are not life-threatening. The incident is suspected to involve human traffickers from the Turkish side. The injured guard was taken to a local hospital and is in stable condition.

A Greek border guard was shot in the abdomen Saturday while patrolling an area of the Greek-Turkish border where undocumented migrants seek to enter the European Union, according to Greek police. The injuries are not life-threatening.

Four Greek border guard officers were on duty along the Evros River, shortly after 6 pm Saturday, when three or four shots rang out from the Turkish side, police stated. A bullet hit one of the officers in the lower abdomen. The injured guard was taken to a hospital in Didymoteicho, where he underwent surgery, and is now in stable condition.

Greek media reported that police officials suspect the shooter or shooters were likely human traffickers. Police are not permitted to speak on cases under investigation and requested anonymity. The police statement confirmed that the bullet was fired from a pistol. The patrolling officers had detected some movement on the Turkish side, but thick vegetation blocked their view. Upon the arrival of additional border guards, no border crossing was made. The border guards are a specialized unit within Greece's police force.

(With inputs from agencies.)