Lesbos court clears rescuers after 7-year ordeal

A court on Lesbos has acquitted 24 aid workers who were on trial for migrant smuggling charges, concluding a seven-year legal struggle. The presiding judge's announcement was met with jubilation, bringing an end to a case that had garnered international attention. This verdict is a significant vindication for humanitarians who were engaged in rescue operations during the peak of the refugee crisis.

These prosecutions were described by the European parliament as the largest instance of criminalizing solidarity in Europe. Human rights organizations have voiced concerns that such cases reflect a growing intolerance for aid work amid stricter migrant policies. Greece, as a frontline state, has faced accusations of pushbacks, which the government has denied while labeling its policies as "strict but fair."

The acquitted include notable figures like Syrian refugee Sara Mardini and Sean Binder. They were accused by Greek police of facilitating illegal migrant entry by monitoring radio signals and using encrypted apps. However, charges of espionage were dismissed earlier due to insufficient evidence, and defendants consistently argued their actions were legitimate human rights work. Amnesty International hopes this ruling will signal to Greece and other European nations that defending human rights should be protected, not punished.