Greece Acquits Aid Workers of Human Trafficking Charges in High-Profile Case
A Greek court has acquitted 24 aid workers, including a former Syrian migrant and competitive swimmer who was the subject of a Netflix documentary, of all charges related to rescuing migrants on the island of Lesbos.
The defendants, who worked for the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI), were accused of human trafficking, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization. However, after a lengthy trial, the court ruled that their actions were not intended to facilitate illegal entry or commit crimes but rather to provide humanitarian aid.
The case has been widely criticized by aid agencies and human rights campaigners, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for migration policy across Europe. The defendants were arrested in 2018 and could have faced up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
The acquittal comes after seven years of waiting, with some defendants spending months in pre-trial detention. Their lawyer, Zacharias Kesses, described the verdict as "astonishing" and said that it was a relief but also an anger cocktail for him.
Eve Geddie of the human rights organization Amnesty International welcomed the decision, saying that it sends a strong signal to Greece and other European countries that solidarity, compassion, and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.
The case has sparked international attention, with a BBC radio documentary set to air on January 20. The verdict is seen as a significant victory for humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to rescue migrants in distress.
A Greek court has acquitted 24 aid workers, including a former Syrian migrant and competitive swimmer who was the subject of a Netflix documentary, of all charges related to rescuing migrants on the island of Lesbos.
The defendants, who worked for the Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI), were accused of human trafficking, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization. However, after a lengthy trial, the court ruled that their actions were not intended to facilitate illegal entry or commit crimes but rather to provide humanitarian aid.
The case has been widely criticized by aid agencies and human rights campaigners, who argue that it sets a dangerous precedent for migration policy across Europe. The defendants were arrested in 2018 and could have faced up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
The acquittal comes after seven years of waiting, with some defendants spending months in pre-trial detention. Their lawyer, Zacharias Kesses, described the verdict as "astonishing" and said that it was a relief but also an anger cocktail for him.
Eve Geddie of the human rights organization Amnesty International welcomed the decision, saying that it sends a strong signal to Greece and other European countries that solidarity, compassion, and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.
The case has sparked international attention, with a BBC radio documentary set to air on January 20. The verdict is seen as a significant victory for humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to rescue migrants in distress.
. I mean, can you imagine risking your life every day to help people in need and then facing human trafficking charges? 
The thought of them spending 7 long years in pre-trial detention is just devastating.
These people are literally saving lives and the fact that they're being celebrated for it should send a clear message to governments everywhere: compassion matters! 
The BBC documentary coming up is going to shed some amazing light on this case and I'm so excited to hear more about it! 
whats up w/ these laws? i mean aid workers r literally risking there lives to save ppl in distress, and now dey get aquitted? its like sayin dont do good deeds 4 the sake of bein a hero lol. anywayz 
how's dis supposed 2 set a precedent 4 migration policy? seems like it would b more logical 2 just provide more aid & support 4 ppl in need r u guyz think dey'll try 2 change these laws now or wut? 
just got the news that those aid workers who were accused of human trafficking are finally acquitted! I mean what even was the point of prosecuting them? They were just trying to help people in need, you know? It's wild how long it took for this case to go through and all the lives they spent in detention waiting for a verdict. The fact that some people were critiquing this decision is kinda worrying though... like what's next? Are we gonna start punishing people for doing good stuff? 
this verdict is SO suspicious, like what's really going on here? It's all so convenient that these aid workers got acquitted after 7 long years... I mean, isn't it weird that they were arrested in the first place? 
Anyway, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what other "surprises" come out of this case... 
just heard the news about those aid workers being acquitted and I gotta say, it's a huge relief 
they've been through so much already, first getting arrested and spending months in detention 
only to be cleared of all charges after 7 years 
it's crazy how quickly public opinion can shift, too - now everyone's talking about the importance of solidarity and compassion for those working on the frontlines 
we should all be grateful for people like these heroes who risk everything to help others 
. I mean, we're talking about people who risked their lives to rescue stranded migrants on Lesbos, which is already a pretty crazy situation 
. It's not like they were just making money off of it or exploiting anyone for their own gain 
.
. I mean, we have these organizations and people out there literally giving up everything to help those in need, and this is the thanks they get? 
It's like, come on Greece! Can't you just give them a pat on the back instead of locking them up for years? 
. But at the same time, it's like, these people did what they thought was right with no other intention than to help 
.
. And I'm glad that Eve Geddie from Amnesty International said something positive about it - it does send a message that solidarity and compassion should be protected, not punished 
it's crazy how long this case took, seven years of waiting! The idea that they'd be charged with crimes just because they were doing humanitarian work is just so messed up. I mean, come on, these people risked their lives to save others, what's the crime in that? 
I mean, what's the real crime here? Rescuing people in need from war zones and sending them to safer countries? Sounds like basic human decency to me 
.
And I have to say, I do feel for those aid workers who went through that ordeal. They're the real heroes here.
7 yrs is way too long... hope more ppl start seein' the value in solidarity & compassion instead of tryin' to criminalize 'em 
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️. They'll be more likely to prioritize saving lives over bureaucratic red tape. It's a welcome change, and I hope it inspires more governments to take a compassionate approach to migration policy 
. I mean, come on, people! We gotta stand up for humanitarian aid workers who risk their lives to help others in need 
these ppl have been thru so much 
it just don't make sense! 
! seriously tho, this sets such a bad precedent. if ppl doing good work get pinched for "crimes", when will we stop helping others? 