Aid Workers Cleared of Human Trafficking Charges in Greece
A group of aid workers in Greece, who faced serious charges for their humanitarian efforts on the island of Lesbos, have been cleared of all accusations related to human trafficking.
– Key Context: The 24 former volunteers were arrested seven years ago and stood trial, accused of human trafficking and other offenses, which could have led to a 20-year prison sentence. They worked with an NGO that provided life-saving assistance to asylum seekers at risk of drowning between 2015 and 2018, a critical period when hundreds of thousands of migrants journeyed from Turkey to Greece.
– Humanitarian vs. Criminal: Their case drew significant condemnation from various aid organizations and human rights advocates, who argued it aimed to criminalize humanitarian assistance. This case is seen as pivotal, potentially impacting migration policies across Europe.
– Notable Defendants: Among those acquitted were Syrian migrant and former competitive swimmer Sarah Mardini, whose courageous return to Lesbos to rescue fellow refugees was depicted in the Netflix film, The Swimmers. Along with her were others arrested in 2018.
– Trial Developments: They were cleared of espionage charges in 2023, yet faced remaining counts of facilitating the illegal entry of foreigners, money laundering, and criminal organization membership. However, presiding judge Vassilis Papathanassiou declared, All defendants are acquitted of the charges because their actions were motivated by the desire to provide humanitarian aid, not commit crimes.
– Prosecution Stance: Prosecutor Dimitris Smyrnis recommended their acquittal, emphasizing a lack of evidence proving the defendants’ criminal liability.
– Contradicting Testimonies: During the trial, a police officer testified about the aid workers using WhatsApp to share boat locations without notifying Greek authorities. However, a Greek coast guard officer, Stavros Gagarellis, confirmed that the volunteers worked closely with his team.
– Judge’s Ruling: Judge Papathanassiou remarked, A communication group on the internet cannot be regarded as a criminal organization, and stated, Waiting to rescue a human life cannot be considered facilitation of illegal entry.
– Reactions from Aid Workers: Zacharias Kesses, the lawyer for Mardini and Sean Binder, expressed astonishment over the lengthy trial, stating, I’m astonished that it took 2,889 days for the prosecutor to realize that the accusation made no sense whatsoever.
– Sean Binder’s Reflections: Binder, who spent three months in pre-trial detention in 2018, conveyed mixed emotions: Right now it’s a relief and anger cocktail, equally balanced. He shared the struggles he faced over the past seven years, noting, I’ve spent the past seven years in limbo.
– Support from Amnesty International: Eve Geddie of Amnesty International expressed hope that the decision would resonate across Greece and Europe: Solidarity, compassion, and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.
A BBC radio documentary titled Assignment: Greece—Rescuers on Trial will be aired on BBC World Service on Tuesday, January 20, and will be available on BBC Sounds.
The acquittal of these aid workers sends a powerful message about the importance of humanitarian efforts in crisis situations and the need to protect those who act out of compassion and solidarity.