Rights groups hail acquittal after seven years of aid workers prosecuted during Greece refugee crisis

"It took 2,897 days for the obvious to be delivered by the justice system, said Zacharias Kesses, the lawyer who represented six of the defendants. Today, the three-member felony court of appeal of the North Aegean delivered a courageous judgment. The European parliament had described the prosecutions as the largest case of the criminalisation of solidarity in Europe and proceedings had been closely watched internationally."

"Human Rights Watch called the case a perverse misrepresentation of life-saving humanitarian work. It had urged Greek authorities to drop the baseless charges. The acquittals are a vindication for the defendants but are also bittersweet, said Eva Cosse, a senior researcher in the group's Europe and Central Asia division. These abusive prosecutions have virtually shut down lifesaving work even as people continue to drown in the Aegean. The Greek authorities should stop criminalising solidarity, end pushbacks and prioritise saving lives."

Twenty-four aid workers were acquitted by a Lesbos court after facing up to 20 years in prison on migrant-smuggling charges. All defendants had engaged in rescue work on the Aegean island during the height of the refugee crisis. The verdict ended a seven-year legal ordeal and drew cheers and tears. The European parliament described the prosecutions as the largest criminalisation of solidarity in Europe, and rights groups called the case a test for humanitarian treatment as tolerance for aid waned. Greece has been accused of pushbacks at sea and land borders; the government denies expulsions and defends strict policies. Human Rights Watch called the charges baseless and urged authorities to stop criminalising solidarity.

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