...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
to Greece are increasingly reporting being attacked by gunnies trying to prevent them from reaching Europe, according to multiple sources.
The reports came as the U.N.'s refugee agency on July 31 said Greece's infrastructure was falling "far short" of the needs of the 109,000 migrants who have arrived in the country this year, fleeing war, poverty and persecution.
An international NGO, which did not wish to be named, has launched an investigation after several witnesses reported being attacked en route from Turkey to Greece, with some saying they were robbed and others saying the motors from their boats were stolen.
The NGO said it suspected the involvement of "mafia gangs", while also noting that the Greek coastguard has previously engaged in activities designed to deter migrants from trying to make their way to Greek shores.
"But we have been assured that this has finished," the NGO said.
Reports of attacks on migrants were particularly common around the Greek island of Lesbos in the east Aegean Sea, it added.
Nawal Soufi, and Italian activist who has handled numerous distress calls from Syrian refugees at sea, said she had heard of around 20 boats whose passengers had been attacked in recent months.