On Friday, the Greek judiciary dropped a case against numerous sea rescuers for espionage and smuggling activities on the island of Lesvos. The bizarre reason: the indictment has not been translated.
Among the suspects is Syrian Sarah Mardini, who rescued a refugee boat with her sister in 2015. The Netflix movie “The Swimmers” was shot about the two. The two women now live in Germany.
Police radio traffic intercepted?
Between 2016 and 2018, the sisters and other volunteers saved the lives of hundreds of refugees crossing the Mediterranean to Greece, according to the UN Human Rights Office. They are not only accused of smuggling, but also of espionage. The latter is based on the fact that the helpers would have intercepted the radio traffic of the police and the coastguard and passed on the positions of the boats and ships to the refugees.
The trial was temporarily suspended on Friday because the indictment had not been translated. “We’re not cheering,” Sean Binder’s attorney Zacharias Keses said. This decision was just a “stage win.” The investigation into the formation of a criminal organization against 24 people is still ongoing. It was still unclear Friday whether and when a lawsuit will be held.
50 helpers prosecuted
About 50 humanitarian workers are currently being prosecuted in Greece. The Conservative government had promised to make the country “less attractive” to refugees. A border wall of 40 kilometers with Turkey will also be extended to 80 kilometers.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
