A police officer who facilitated illegal immigrants through Macedonia Airport was sentenced

A 45-year-old police officer accused of trafficking illegal immigrants through Thessaloniki’s “Macedonia” airport was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison by the Three-member Criminal Appeal Court of Thessaloniki.

The police officer was found guilty of facilitating the exit of third country citizens from Greek territory, gang and provocation – offering to commit a crime. The court recognized the mitigating sentence of life in prison, while after his conviction the defendant, who has been in prison since last June, was released with restrictive conditions and a financial guarantee 5,000 euros, as the court decided his appeal to has inhibitory power in the execution of the sentence.

Another person also sat on the “stool” for the same case second officer, best man of the first defendant, who faced the charge of joining a criminal organization and was found not guilty, while a foreigner was found guilty and the court imposed a 13-month suspended prison sentence.

According to the indictment, the actions of the 45-year-old police officer seem to have started at least since September 15, 2022, as together with his accomplices they facilitated the exit of illegal immigrants and their boarding on planes leaving from “Macedonia” destined for countries in Europe and Baltic.

The “incorruptible” of EL.AS., after a months-long investigation, proceeded to arrest him, when two refugees from Syriaamong them a 12-year-old girl, attempted to pass the boarding gate using fake passports, citizens of Estonia, and destined for Brussels.

In his apology, the police officer accepted part of his actions, stressing that “I did not gain anything from this case.”