After seven years of legal proceedings, a court on the Greek island of Lesbos has acquitted all 24 humanitarian workers who were charged with serious felonies for providing lifesaving assistance to migrants at sea. The verdict prompted an emotional response in the courtroom, with relief and celebration marking the end of what many described as a deeply unjust ordeal. One of the defendants, Sara Mardini, underscored the significance of the ruling by stating that saving lives should never be treated as a crime.
The case dates back to August 2018, when police arrested Mardini and fellow volunteer Séan Binder, both members of the Emergency Response Center International, along with two Greek nationals. Mardini and Binder spent more than 100 days in pretrial detention. Prosecutors later expanded the case to include 24 individuals linked to the organization, accusing them of crimes such as facilitating illegal migration, belonging to a criminal smuggling network, and laundering money through fundraising activities. Some defendants were even accused of participating in alleged offenses on dates when they were not present in Greece.
These charges stood in contradiction to Greek law, which explicitly exempts individuals who assist asylum seekers from criminal penalties. Despite this, authorities pursued felony charges carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison. The acquittal follows earlier court decisions that had already dismissed related misdemeanor charges and similar cases, highlighting repeated judicial rejection of the prosecution’s arguments.
While the ruling represents a major victory for humanitarian principles, its broader impact remains uncertain. The European Parliament had described the case as the largest instance of the criminalization of solidarity in Europe, and the prolonged prosecutions have already had serious consequences. Many search and rescue organizations withdrew from operations in the Aegean Sea due to fear of legal repercussions, contributing to a deadly gap in lifesaving efforts and resulting in preventable deaths, including that of a young child earlier this year.
The case has renewed calls for the Greek government to shift its approach toward migration and humanitarian action. Advocates argue that authorities should publicly acknowledge the harm caused by these prosecutions, stop targeting human rights defenders, abandon proposed legislation that would further restrict nongovernmental organizations, and prioritize the protection of life at sea. Ending abusive border practices and ensuring respect for international human rights obligations are seen as essential steps to prevent similar injustices in the future.
