The death of a 17-year-old refugee near Symi has yet to be resolved, with the caretaker Shipping Minister and the Chief of the Hellenic Coast Guard instructing the Regional Coast Guard Commander to investigate the case. It appears that the 17-year-old refugee was killed during a clash between the Coast Guard and a human trafficker. During the clash one Coast Guard officer and a trafficker were injured.
Early on Saturday afternoon the Coast Guard press office was ordered to inform that the 17-year-old’s death has been attributed to asphyxiation, despite the medical examiner’s report still pending at the time! An investigation will help determine who instructed the Coast Guard press office to make such a premature statement.
About four hours later though the Coast Guard issued a new update, noting that the 17-year-old’s death was not attributed to asphyxiation, but was likely caused by a gun shot. According to the official statement on Saturday evening, the Turkish trafficker allegedly managed to seize a weapon from a Coast Guard officer and during the clash shots were exchanged.
