| status | Evidence Ready |
| name | V_SAR Op 11.06.21 B |
| date | 2021-06-11 |
| number_of_people | 358 |
| victims_found | none |
| patrol_boat | Ras el Jadir 648 |
| prison | |
| related_icao | |
| link | https://twitter.com/rgowans/status/1403778010231214086?s=20&t=F9x0rVMDmc_v6ffh5wN3Rw |
11 June 2021 – case B – Ras El Jadir 648
Mass push–back (358 people on 7 different vessels) coordinated by operation Themis (Italian Government + Frontex) via WhatsApp communication between Frontex and the crew of patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648.
Push-back description: operation Themis uses its drone AS2132 to intercept at least 5 vessels fleeing from Libya and communicates via WhatsApp the targets’ coordinates to the Libyans on patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648.
Apart from the WhatsApp chats, these events are also confirmed also by the operation Themis data recorded on the JORA file.
The two remaining two vessels (628285 and 628296) are probably intercepted by another asset (Third Country Action) that is currently unknown.
Operation Themis data
‘Joint Operation Themis is a “synergy between the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) and the Italian Authorities with the support of the Member States of the European Union’, (see Italian Ministry of Defence https://www.difesa.it/operazionimilitari/op-intern-corso/jointoperationtriton/index.html). It does not include the Libyans. Therefore, it is exclusively an EU operation. In the EU, the collective pushbacks of migrants at the border are illegal. Therefore, all pushbacks coordinated by operation Themis are deemed illegal by human rights activists.
According to operation Themis (Italian Government + Frontex), on 11 June 2021, 10 vessels have been seized and pushed back. They all disembarked in Tripoli.
The captured people are 596, a number confirmed by operation Themis, the information disclosed by the Libyans, as well as by the IOM calculations.
According to the Libyans, 358 people are captured by patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648 and 238 people by patrol boat Zawiya 656. Operation Themis records the coordinates of the interception/capture of all 10 vessels.
| JLProject analysis: In the table below, the 7 vessels that, according to JLProject, were seized by patrol boat Ras El Jadir (this case, Case B) are reported in red. The 3 vessels that, according to JLProject, were seized by patrol boat Zawiya656 (Case A, already included in our database) are reported in green. JLProject assumes this classification based on Themis data, especially considering the number of people on the vessels and the progressive number that operation Themis uses to record them (first 7 by Ras El Jadir, then 3 by Zawiya). This assumption might include mistakes. To confirm it, we need to access Frontex documents. |
Legend:
AC = detection/capture
AVV = detection
CATT = capture
The 7 pushbacks carried out by Ras El Jadir 648 are recorded in the JORA database as follows:
| IncidentId | 628244 | 628275 | 628285 | 628296 | 628306 | 628843 | 628845 | |
| IncidentNumber | 443413 | 443417 | 443419 | 443421 | 443423 | 443510 | 443511 | |
| num_l_MigrantsDeterred | 40 | 12 | 66 | 66 | 94 | 40 | 40 | |
| IncidentStatus | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | Accepted | |
| OperationName | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | JO Themis 2021 | |
| OperationStatus | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active | Active | |
| OperationSectorType | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | SEA | |
| PrimaryIncidentType | Prevention of departure | Prevention of departure | Third Country Action | Third Country Action | Prevention of departure | Prevention of departure | Prevention of departure | |
| EntryExit | Exit | Exit | Exit | Exit | Exit | Exit | Exit | |
| SAR | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | |
| DetectionByFrxAsset | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| InterceptionByFrxAsset | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | |
| OtherFrontexAssetInvolvement | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | |
| FrontexInvolvement | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| ReportingCountry | Italy | Italy | Italy | Italy | Italy | Italy | Italy | |
| DetectionDate | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | |
| InterceptionDate | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | |
| ReportingDate | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-13T00:00:00 | 2021-06-13T00:00:00 | |
| GeneralDate | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | 2021-06-11T00:00:00 | |
| CountryOfDeparture | Libya | Libya | Libya | Libya | Libya | Libya | Libya | |
| DetectionInitiatedBy | MAS | MAS | Other | Other | MAS | MAS | MAS | |
| Disembarkation | Tripoli | Tripoli | Tripoli | Tripoli | Tripoli | Tripoli | Tripoli | |
| TransportType | wooden boat | wooden boat | wooden boat | wooden boat | wooden boat | wooden boat | wooden boat | |
| GroupedOperationName | Themis | Themis | Themis | Themis | Themis | Themis | Themis | |
| DetectionLatitude | 33,9833333333 | 34,1166666666 | 33,25 | 33,5166666666 | 33,8166666666 | 33,8833333333 | 33,9 | |
| DetectionLongitude | 11,9166666666 | 11,8666666666 | 12,2666666666 | 11,9833333333 | 11,5666666666 | 11,5166666666 | 11,5166666666 | |
| InterceptionLatitude | 34,1666666666 | 34,3 | 33,25 | 33,5166666666 | 34,0666666666 | 33,8833333333 | 33,9 | |
| InterceptionLongitude | 11,9666666666 | 11,9666666666 | 12,2666666666 | 11,9833333333 | 11,7333333333 | 11,5166666666 | 11,5166666666 |
It is immediately noticeable the total number of captured people, 358.
It is also noticeable that, according to Themis, 5 out of the 7 vessels were intercepted by Frontex MAS (Multipurpose Aerial Surveillance). This information is consistent with the air routes, which show Frontex spy drone AS2132 flying over those 5 vessels and not the other two.
“DetectionByFrxAsset: Yes”, “FrontexInvolvement: Yes”, writes operation Themis, and this is also consistent also with the two pages and a half of chat messages exchanged between Themis and the militiamen of Ras El Jadir.
Note: type of vessel. From experience, JLProject knows that the type of vessel reported in the JORA file is not always correct. Operation Themis intercepts the vessels using the aerial pictures taken by its spy assets and essentially divides them into dinghies and wooden boats. Sometimes it wrongly identifies dinghies as wooden boats. The opposite situation is rarer. The mistake is caused by the fact that on some dinghies people travel by sitting on the rubber tube, which is not visible from above. In this case, operation Themis only recorded wooden boats. Considering that most vessels leaving Zuwara are wooden boats, it could be true, but it is not 100% sure.
Chats between operation Themis and the militiamen of Ras El Jadir
The German organization Frag den Staat obtained proof of the communication via WhatsApp messages between Frontex and the scLCG that happened between 18 May and 14 June 2021. In the transcriptions of the messages, most pieces of information were removed by Frontex, as the agency deemed them “confidential operative data”. However, it is possible to observe some messages exchanged between Frontex and a +218 number, which is the Libyan international prefix. Considering the context, it is possible to deduce that the number belongs to a Libyan party, probably scLCG. Voice messages, pictures, locations, vessels interceptions or possible cases of danger are shared during many exchanges on 18 May, 27 May, 11 June, 12 June and 14 June 2021. This indicates the collaboration between the two entities regarding interceptions at sea. (Source: https://www.ecchr.eu/fileadmin/Redacted_Article_15_Communication_to_the_ICC__Situation_in_Libya_Interceptions_of_Migrants_and_Refugees_at_Sea_as_Crimes_Against_Humanity.pdf).
The chat messages can be viewed through the following link:
The chat messages completely reported below took place on 11 June 2021.
| JLProject analysis: JLProject believes that the following chat messages are exchanged between operation Themis (Frontex + Italian Government) and the militiamen of patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648 and therefore believes that Frontex is also speaking on behalf of the Italian Government, which is part of operation Themis. The relationship between them seems clear: Operation Themis coordinates the pushbacks, it sends satellite pictures taken with its drone and technical data sheets regarding the vessels to be seized to the Libyans; the Libyans comply with the orders and constantly update their location to operation Themis (ras is Ras El Jadir 648) |
Timeline
10 June 2021
Late evening: At least 13 vessels leave from Libya, probably from Zuwara. Only 3 of them will be able to flee Libya and reach Europe. 7 vessels will be seized by patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648 (this case) and 3 by Zawiya 656 (see JLProject dossier Case A).
11 June 2021
01:44 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 takes off from Malta for a reconnaissance mission in the Libyan SAR. It flies quickly over the whole Maltese SAR, where it seems that there is no interest in intercepting vessels. At 03:12 UTC it arrives in the Libyan SAR.
03:59 UTC: sunrise in Tripoli.
Before 04:04 UTC: Operation Themis and the Libyan militiamen of the patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648 start communicating via WhatsApp. “Now ras in the sea”, write the Libyan militiamen. It probably means that the patrol boat Ras El Jadir has sailed. After this, the Libyans send their location and Themis responds with operative instructions.
04:04 URC (06:04 CAT): the Libyans send a voice message to Themis. The title of the voice message contains the time: 06:04, we believe CAT (UTC +2, Rome time zone, Pratica di Mare air base, headquarters of operation Themis).
Further information and instructions are communicated via WhatsApp.
04:30 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 starts patrolling the Libyan SAR.
04:40 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location of the interception of vessel 628855, which will then be seized by patrol boat Zawiya (Case A on our database).
Then, Frontex spy drone AS2132 turns off the transponder. It will keep it turned off until 05:28.
Right after 04:59 UTC (06:59 CAT): operation Themis sends a picture of Ras El Jadir 648 to the Libyan militiamen. We do not have this picture. The title is 00000044-PHOTO-2021-06-11-06-59-46.jpg. It is followed by the message: “right now”. The Libyans say: “thank you”.
| JLProject analysis: We believe that it is the picture of a vessel intercepted by the drone. We do not know which one. It could be vessel 628855. We believe that the drone camera is set to a UTC +2 time zone (Rome time zone, Pratica di Mare air base, where the headquarters of operation Themis are, but also Warsaw and Tripoli). |
05:28: Frontex spy drone AS2132, after turning the transponder back on, carries out a flyover in circles. The location is exactly where, according to the operation Themis data in the JORA file, the interception of vessel 628275, carrying 12 people, is reported.
Right after 05:37 UTC (07:37 CAT): Frontex/Themis sends a new picture to the Libyan militiamen. We do not have this picture. The title is 00000044-PHOTO-2021-06-11-07-37-04.jpg. Frontex informs: “Sir, we have a second SAR case”. The Libyans say: “thank you”.
| JLProject analysis: We believe that it is the picture of a vessel intercepted by the drone. Considering the time, we believe it is vessel 628275, carrying 12 people. We believe that the drone camera is set to a UTC +2 time zone (Rome time zone, Pratica di Mare air base, where the headquarters of operation Themis are, but also Warsaw and Tripoli). |
They exchange data and information that are now censored. The Libyans then send Themis the location of the patrol boat Ras El Jadir, twice. The Libyan militia then writes: “I want update the target”, and, again, sends its location.
These censored chats indicate a relationship between operation Themis, which coordinates the seizures, and the Libyans, who comply with the orders.
06:38 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location where the interception of vessel 628306, carrying 94 people, will be reported.
06:47 UTC: the Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location where the interception and seizure of vessels 628845 and 628843, carrying 40 people each, will be reported.
07:30 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location where the seizure of vessel 628244, carrying 40 people, will be reported.
08:08 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location in circles, where the seizure of vessel 628275, carrying 12 people, will be reported.
09:05 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location where the seizure of vessel 628306, carrying 94 people, will be reported.
Rgowans, the spokesperson of the Libyan militiamen, will then publish on Twitter at the following linkhttps://x.com/rgowans/status/1403778010231214086 an aerial picture, probably taken by Frontex spy drone AS2132. Said picture shows the seizure of a vessel.
| JLProject analysis: This picture is compatible with the seizure of vessel 628306, carrying 94 people. The vessel is big, in the front there is a large number of migrants, who were probably already captured in previous operations. The light is compatible. |
10:08 UTC: Frontex spy drone AS2132 flies over the location where the interception of vessel 628848 and 628852 will be reported, and that will then be captured by patrol boat Zawiya (Case A on our database).
Untimed: operation Themis continues to send operative instructions to the militiamen of patrol boat Ras El Jadir; the militiamen continue to update Themis on their location.
Before 18:14 UTC: disembarking in Tripoli. Rgowans, the spokesperson of the Libyan militiamen, will then publish on Twitter at the following link https://x.com/rgowans/status/1403778014828273664 a picture of the disembarking in Tripoli of patrol boat Ras El Jadir 648 (the number is visible) carrying the migrants that were captured during that day. According to both the Libyans and operation Themis, 358 people are pushed back.
18:14 UTC: sunset in Tripoli.
Photographic material
The photographic material contains the following 2 pictures. Unfortunately, the quality is too poor to be able to perform a photo recognition of the rejected people.
Investigation status
The preliminary investigation is concluded.
To better trace the order and time of the captures of the 7 vessels, access to Frontex documents would be needed. Frontex still has the information sent via messages to the Libyans and the aerial pictures taken with its spy drone.
JLProject has not yet found the pushback victims.
The English version of this dossier was translated by IN.TRA (Inclusive Translation for Community Engagement), a pro-bono language services provider as part of a service-learning project within the Department of Interpreting and Translation (DIT) at the University of Bologna.