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Greek court acquits two Turkish truck drivers over alleged migrant transport
The Thessaloniki Criminal Court acquitted two Turkish truck drivers accused of illegally transporting migrants hidden in truck trailers that arrived from Turkey at the Thessaloniki port. The first case involved a 25‑year‑old driver arrested on 15 October 2025 after the Greek Coast Guard discovered seven Syrian migrants, including four children aged three and four, inside a trailer. The second incident was uncovered on 5 November 2025 when a 30‑year‑old Turkish individual was found exiting a trailer at Gate 16 of the port without valid travel documents. Investigations showed the migrants had boarded the trucks at parking areas outside Istanbul and near Adrianoupoli before crossing into Greece, and a 62‑year‑old Turkish driver of the second truck was also charged. Both drivers denied knowledge of the passengers, and the court found insufficient evidence of their participation, leading to their release.
Separately, two Albanian youths were detained on the Aegean highway for alleged migrant smuggling, but this was not part of the drivers' cases.
Entities
Central Maritime Authority of Greece · Greek Coast Guard · Thessaloniki Criminal Court · Thessaloniki Port · Turkish truck drivers
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The drivers were accused of illegally transporting migrants hidden in truck trailers arriving from Turkey to Thessaloniki port. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two Albanian youths were detained on the Aegean highway for alleged migrant smuggling. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The first incident involved a 25‑year‑old Turkish driver detained on 15 October 2025 after Greek Coast Guard found seven Syrian migrants, including four children aged three and four, in a trailer. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Both drivers were released after the court's acquittal, having been held temporarily pending investigation. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] The second incident was discovered on 5 November 2025 when a 30‑year‑old Turkish individual was found exiting a trailer at Gate 16 of the port without legal documents. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Investigations indicated the migrants boarded the trucks at parking areas outside Istanbul and near Adrianoupoli before crossing into Greece. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] A 62‑year‑old Turkish driver was charged in connection with the second incident. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two Turkish truck drivers were acquitted by the Thessaloniki Criminal Court due to doubts about their involvement in illegal migrant transport. www.bizznews.gr · lawandorder.gr · www.efsyn.gr