Link: https://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2023-09/cp230133en.pdf

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PRESS RELEASE No 133/2

Judgment of the General Court in Case T-600/21 | WS and Others v Frontex

Return operations: the action for damages brought by a number of Syrian refugees against Frontex after they were returned from Greece to Türkiye is dismissed

Since Frontex does not have the power to assess the merits of return decisions or applications for international protection, that EU agency cannot be held liable for any damage related to the return of those refugees to Türkiye

In 2016, a number of Syrian refugees arrived on the Greek island of Milos. After having been transferred to the island of Leros, they expressed their desire to lodge an application for international protection. However, following a joint return operation carried out by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and Greece, they were transferred to Türkiye. From there, they went to Iraq, where they have resided ever since. 

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