Greece has deported 50 irregular migrants from Bangladesh and Pakistan on a special charter flight, including a 27-year-old Bangladeshi man whose TikTok video sparked controversy over claims that undocumented migrants could live and work in the country without being detected by the police.
Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris confirmed the deportation, describing the operation as part of the government’s efforts to tackle irregular migration and enforce the country’s immigration laws.
Among those deported was Mohammad Hasan, a Bangladeshi national from Moulvibazar. He had reportedly been living in Greece for around four to five years before coming under scrutiny over a video posted on TikTok.
According to Greek media reports, the video was published in June and featured Hasan discussing employment opportunities in Nafplio, a city in the Peloponnese region of Greece. He reportedly claimed that work was available in the area and that people without valid residence documents could also travel there without difficulty.
He was also heard suggesting that undocumented migrants could remain in the area for an extended period without being located by the police. His remarks attracted attention after the video circulated widely on social media.
The footage eventually came to the attention of Greek authorities, prompting a police investigation. Officers subsequently identified Hasan, and administrative action was taken against him under the country’s immigration regulations.
His previous residence permit was revoked, while his asylum application was also rejected. These developments paved the way for his removal from Greece as part of the latest deportation operation.
The Greek authorities have not suggested that all 50 individuals were deported for the same reasons as Hasan. The group included nationals of both Bangladesh and Pakistan, and the operation was conducted through a specially arranged charter flight.
Minister Plevris said the flight carried a total of 50 people to their respective countries. The operation reflects the government’s continued focus on controlling irregular migration and addressing violations of immigration regulations.
Greece, as a member of the European Union, operates within a wider European framework governing migration, asylum and border management. People seeking to live or work in the country are generally required to meet the relevant visa and residence requirements. Those who remain without valid authorisation may face legal and administrative consequences, including the cancellation of residence permits and removal from the country.
Hasan’s case has also raised concerns among Bangladeshis living in Greece. Some members of the expatriate community have expressed dissatisfaction with individuals who allegedly share misleading information about opportunities for undocumented migrants in an effort to increase their popularity on social media.
They fear that videos promoting irregular entry, unauthorised employment or ways to avoid police detection could encourage others to take dangerous decisions based on inaccurate information. Such content may also damage the reputation of Bangladeshis who are living and working in Greece legally.
For many migrant workers, social media has become an important source of information about employment, accommodation and opportunities abroad. However, information shared online is not always accurate, and misleading claims can expose prospective migrants to legal, financial and personal risks.
The incident serves as a reminder that immigration rules must be understood and followed before travelling abroad for work or residence. A person’s legal status can be affected by violations of those rules, while misleading advice circulated online may create difficulties for others seeking legitimate opportunities overseas.
The concerns expressed by members of the Bangladeshi community also highlight the wider impact that individual social media activity can have on expatriate communities, particularly when content about immigration and employment is presented without proper regard for the law.
