Greek Court Clears Syrian Swimmer of Charges Over Migrant Rescues

Greek Court Acquits 24 Rescue Volunteers, Including Sarah Mardini

A Greek court has acquitted 24 volunteers, including Syrian competitive swimmer and activist Sarah Mardini, of human trafficking charges. The defendants, who were part of the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) organization, faced charges related to facilitating illegal entry and forming a criminal organization.

The court ruled that the aim of the volunteers was not to commit criminal acts but to provide humanitarian aid. Presiding Judge Vassilis Papathanassiou stated that “all defendants are acquitted of the charges” due to their intention to assist people in need.

Mardini, who was present at the court along with her co-defendant Sean Binder, expressed her relief and gratitude for the verdict. She said, “Saving human lives is not a crime.” The acquittal marks the second time Greece has brought criminal charges against the volunteers, with the first case resulting in their acquittal in 2023.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the prosecution of the volunteers, stating that it aimed to discourage people from saving migrants and refugees from drowning. The organizations called for stronger safeguards against the criminalization of humanitarian assistance under EU law.

The acquittal has sparked concerns about the impact on lifesaving work in the region. UN human rights experts have expressed alarm about proposed European legislation that could risk the “criminalisation of life-saving action and assistance to victims of human trafficking, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other persons in need of international protection.”

Source: Al Jazeera