Shipwreck in Kythera: He was taking orders from a Turkish-based ring

According to a statement by the Coast Guard, the 26-year-old Syrian smuggler arrested after the tragic shipwreck that occurred last week in Kythera, resulting in the death of 9 migrants, according to the account so far.

In particular, according to the announcement of the Coast Guard, regarding the large-scale search and rescue operation of foreigners on board a sailing boat, in the sea area of the port of Diakofti n. Kythera, which was launched by the Coast Guard - Greek Coast Guard at 05.10.2022, with the rescue of a total of 80 people and the recovery of a total of 08 bodies, it emerged that during the preliminary investigation conducted by members of the Port Authority of Kythera, with the assistance of officers of the Directorate of Security and Protection of Maritime Borders (DAPΘAS), it emerged the involvement of a 26-year-old foreign trafficker, of Syrian nationality, who was on board the sailing vessel, who was arrested for violations of articles 187 of the Criminal Code (criminal organization), 83 of the Law of Cyprus. 3386/05 (illegal entry), 29 Law 4251/14 (facilitating the entry into Greek territory of third country citizens without undergoing the required control), 30 Law 4251/14 (obligations of carriers - sanctions), 306 PC (endangering life), 302 PC (negligent homicide) and 277 PC (causing a shipwreck).

Specifically, the above arrested foreigner was acting jointly with another trafficker-operator, an Egyptian national, who is missing after the shipwreck, and on the orders of other traffickers with a leading role residing in Turkey. The above criminal organisation allegedly received the sum of 9,000 - 10,000 euros for the transport of the migrants from the Turkish coast to Italy.

The Directorate of Security and Maritime Borders Protection (DAPTHAS) is analysing and processing in depth the evidence that has emerged and is investigating the possible extension of the activities of the members of the criminal organisation in question to other Aegean islands, as well as their cooperation with other members of organised circles, both in our country and abroad, with the same or similar criminal activities.