Avramidis asked whether the Greek Coast Guard operation against the migrants constituted a rescue mission or a deterrence operation. The distinction is legally significant, as deterrence operations and pushbacks against vessels already in Greek territorial waters are prohibited under international law.

In his initial response, Marinakis stated that ‘the job of the Coast Guard is to protect our borders and to prevent, in accordance with the provisions of the law and without endangering human lives, the illegal entry into our country of people who do not have the relevant right’. He added that ‘when there is such an operation, the duty of the Coast Guard is to do as much as it can, beyond the limits of its capabilities, to save human lives’.

Avramidis challenged this framing, pointing out that since the migrants had already entered Greek waters, the only lawful course of action under international law would have been a rescue operation. ‘There is no option of deterrence, it is illegal,’ Avramidis said. ‘In fact, this did not happen and we have 15 dead. Did you just admit that this was a deterrence operation?’

Following this exchange, Marinakis abandoned the substance of the question and launched a personal attack on the journalist, publicly threatening him with a SLAPP lawsuit. The threat was made in the context of a routine press briefing and in direct response to a question concerning potential state responsibility for the shipwreck.

The incident adds to growing concerns over attempts to intimidate journalists who scrutinise the government’s handling of migration and the role of the Coast Guard in fatal incidents at Greece’s borders.

In a post on Facebook, Avramidis said the incident was unprecedented. ‘Today something happened that has never happened before in the journalistic and political history of the country,’ he wrote. He said the government spokesman threatened him with a SLAPP lawsuit live during the briefing of political editors. Avramidis said he thanked Marinakis for the threat and told him that journalists would continue to ask questions ‘without fear’, despite not having parliamentary immunity. He added that Marinakis avoided answering and instead directed remarks at him including: ‘be very careful’, ‘you are on an assigned mission’, ‘as well as insolent you are also a coward’, and ‘enough with your immunity’.

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