Refugees protest the Greek border with Macedonia

Greek minister says that the number of asylum seekers detained in the country could reach 70,000 in coming weeks. Refugees disrupt railway and criticized restrictions imposed by the Macedonian government.



About 300 asylum seekers protested on Sunday (28/02) against the restrictions imposed by the Macedonian government. Men, women and children raised banners with the message "Open borders" during run a railroad linking northern Greece to Macedonia, forcing the train to stop traveling.

"I am for 17 days on the road with my family and my two children. I do not know what to do," said a Syrian refugee. The tracks also said "No food" and "We are humans, not animals."

Only 300 refugees from Syria and Iraq were allowed to enter the country. Seekers from Afghanistan have been rejected.

On Sunday, the Immigration Minister of Greece, Yannis Mouzalas, said the number of refugees and migrants detained in the country could reach 70,000 in coming weeks.

According Mouzalas a NATO plan to prevent illegal crossing the Mediterranean Sea to the Greek coast could limit the flow of foreigners in the country. NATO began this month a naval mission in the Aegean Sea to combat people smugglers that lead immigrants off the coast of Turkey to European countries.

"If the NATO plan is actually implemented, it would be possible to reduce the flow by about 70%," Mouzalas said.