Just few hours after groups of migrants penetrated the police cordon on the Macedonia-Greece border and made their way into the country, the police lifted the blockade and allowed everyone else to enter, report human rights activists and news agencies. Behind the border, in the no-border zone between Greece and Macedonia about 200 people stayed.
According to information from the ground, 4000 people crossed the border. Part of them used taxis and private buses to head towards Serbia, but most headed to the train station in Gevgelija to wait for the train that will take them to the north.
It is unknown why the Government of Macedonia changed its decision and decided to open the borders. Foreign media reports that the government is still unavailable for commentery.
Jasmin Redzepi, president of the NGO Legis which is helping the migrants, wrote on his Facebook profile that he is shocked from the latest revelopments.
“They are massively transported in buses, minibuses, vans and trains to Tabanovce. They are hungry, wet and they will freeze on the border to the north! Is the the government’s humane plan? Is someone really trying to profit from the suffering of other people? This is a disgrace!” wrote Redzepi.
Local and international non-profits have criticized the Macedonian police for using exessive force, stun grenades and tear gas against the migrants.
