Greece: Turkish worker arrested for crossing border

EDIRNE, Turkey

A Turkish municipal worker was arrested in Greece on Wednesday after he accidentally crossed the border.

Recep Gurkan, the mayor of northwestern Edirne province, said the municipality had asked for a digger to construct a water well at the Pazarkule Border Gate with Greece.

Musa Alerik accidentally crossed the border while driving the digger, Gurkan said.

He was arrested in the Greek border city of Orestiada.

The necessary procedure for release of the Turkish worker has been launched, Gurkan added.

Deputy Mayor Selcuk Cakir said Alerik was trying to maneuver backwards in the buffer zone and accidentally crossed into Greek territory.

“A water well has been dug on the Turkish side. It is related to water transportation to the buildings and troops here. Our friend came here to dig a ditch, however he entered into the Greek territory instead of the customs area while trying to maneuver backwards,” Cakir added.