In 2018, Seán Binder, then a 23-year-old volunteer with a search and rescue organisation in Lesbos, Greece, was arrested during a routine night shift. He now faces serious charges, including human trafficking, stemming from his work with asylum seekers.
Binder described the night of his arrest to Annie Kelly, noting that police arrived at 3am during his spotting shift. The incident triggered a years-long legal battle, with Binder determined to prove his innocence and clear his name.
Katy Fallon, a reporter covering migration and asylum, explains that Binder's trial reflects a broader trend of criminalising asylum assistance across Europe. The case has impacted the support available to asylum seekers and highlights the ongoing challenges a decade after the 2015 migrant crisis.
