In Greece, a Russian man was sentenced to 118 years in a case of illegal migration.

A court in Greece has sentenced Russian Vladimir Kotelnikov to 118 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 euros for allegedly organizing illegal migration. This was announced to Izvestia on July 24 by the Vice-president of the Unified Coordination Center for the Support of Compatriots Abroad Ivan Melnikov.

According to the human rights activist, we are talking about a scheme of deception, when compatriots who came to Turkey in search of work fall into the scheme of fraudsters. They are tricked into illegally transporting illegal immigrants from Turkey to Greece by sea, and upon arrival they are arrested for no reason.

"People are found through job search services and social networks, they are offered to work in the crews of tourist yachts, while promising a large salary, free training, accommodation, and meals. Then they usually take away documents and money and, under threats, force them to lead ships with migrants to the EU," he shared.

Melnikov clarified that citizens are given prison terms of 300, 400 or more years. He added that the defendants are not aware that they are violating the law. At the same time, the vice-president of the ECCC stated that during his work at least 36 Russian citizens are serving sentences in Greek prisons on these charges.

He added that Vladimir Kotelnikov is 37 years old, he lived until recently with his wife and young child in Chelyabinsk, and a year ago he went abroad to work.

In October last year, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis announced that Athens would send another 150 border guards to the land border with Turkey to combat illegal migration. He noted that the fence being built in the Evros region on the Greek-Turkish land border is 100% effective in preventing illegal migrants from entering the border, but there is a need for effective coordination between all services, including the police, army and border guards.

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