Army starts building fence on Greek border

The Macedonian Army has begun erecting a wire fence along the country’s border with Greece to control a wave of migrants trying to cross, local TV channel Telma reported on Saturday.

Macedonia, along with other Balkan countries on the route to Western Europe, began turning away “economic migrants” almost two weeks ago.

Human rights organizations have criticized the move, saying global conventions require countries to treat asylum requests on merit, not on the basis of nationality.

One man appeared to break down, throwing himself on railway lines before the Macedonian police, screaming and flailing.

The restrictions have sparked protests among frustrated Iranian, Pakistani and Moroccan nationals, and on Thursday, around 200 people broke through a flimsy barrier into Macedonia.

Syrians, Afghans and Iraqis fleeing conflict are flowing largely unimpeded across Balkan borders having landed by boat in Greece from Turkey.

“We are not closing the border completely”, the official said, describing it as an attempt to funnel the flow.

The Macedonian government claims the objective of building the metal fence is “to direct the inflow of people towards the controlled points for their registration and humane treatment”.

Associated Press said close to 250 people on the Greek side of the border threw stones at police.

More than 800,000 refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia have arrived in Europe by sea so far this year, most through the Greek islands, seeking a better life in wealthier European countries such as Germany.

More than 720,000 people have arrived in Europe through Greece alone this year, according to the IOM, with just over half declaring themselves Syrian citizens. The source said the decision came after they were informed by Croatia and Serbia that migrants who were not from war zones would be returned.