Today the Greek government gave a select group of journalists "evidence" that NGOs pay for migrants to get from Somalia to Turkey and then help them cross the border.

This thread looks at this "evidence" as published by Greek daily Kathimerini. 1/8

The first piece is an advertisment for Turkish student and medical visas by a private tour operator.

There is no evidence that "Go Turkey And Study" is linked to NGOs. Such private services offering visa assistance are widespread throughout the world. 2/8

The second is a medical certificate issued by a Turkish state hospital in Somalia. Again, no evidence exists to link the hospital to any NGO. 3/8

Then, a series of photos showing chats with @ABoatReport on Facebook.

If anything, these show that any communication started *after* the person arrived to Greece and that the NGO advised the person to reach a road where help can be provided. 4/8

The most "serious" accusation comes in the interviews of asylum seekers (published btw without obscuring facial characteristics.)

They claim they were told to send @ABoatReport photos of their group upon arrival to get help.

Is this proof of collusion with smugglers? No.

5/8

The reason refugees choose to send information to NGOs rather than turn to the authorities is that Greece has been taking refugees from its islands and leaving them adrift at sea.

That's illegal, also under Greece's law. 6/8

Having evidence and witnesses of their presence in Greece protects refugees from illegal pushbacks.

But this does not prove NGO collusion with smugglers. If anything, it reveals the government's obsession with eliminating civil society oversight of its wrongdoing. 7/8

Anyone can find out which NGOs support refugees in Greece with a simple search online.

The Greek government would maybe prefer they didn't exist, as they make it marginally harder for authorities to break the law.

But that doesn't mean that NGOs are breaking the law. 8/8