A Greek court has delivered a landmark verdict, acquitting two dozen humanitarian aid workers of criminal charges for assisting migrants arriving on the island of Lesbos. The case, which had drawn fierce international condemnation, concluded on Thursday 15 January 2026.
Seven-Year Legal Ordeal Ends in Acquittal
The court found the 24 defendants, volunteers with the Greek non-profit Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI), not guilty of charges including facilitating illegal entry and membership of a criminal organisation. The prosecution itself had recommended acquittal, stating the evidence was insufficient and noting that the volunteers had routinely alerted port authorities to approaching migrant boats.
Among those cleared was Syrian competitive swimmer Sarah Mardini, whose harrowing journey from war-torn Syria and subsequent arrest in 2018 inspired the 2022 Netflix film ‘The Swimmers’. Mardini and her sister Yusra, who later swam for the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio 2016, famously survived a perilous 2015 sea crossing to Lesbos by swimming for hours to keep their sinking dinghy afloat.
A Bittersweet Victory for Human Rights
Following the ruling, relieved supporters cheered outside the courthouse. Many of the acquitted group marked their freedom with a celebratory night swim in the island's port. “We didn't do anything illegal,” Sarah Mardini declared. “If helping people is a crime, then we are all guilty.”
Human rights organisations welcomed the verdict but highlighted the profound personal cost of the protracted legal battle. Eva Cosse, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch, called the acquittals “a vindication” but noted they were “bittersweet,” adding that “two dozen people were subjected to a seven-year legal ordeal on baseless charges for saving lives.”
Sarah Mardini had returned to Lesbos from her new home in Germany to volunteer, only to be arrested and held in pre-trial detention for over three months in 2018.
Ruling Amidst Tougher EU Migration Policies
The court's decision arrives at a sensitive time, as Greece and several other European Union governments are intensifying efforts to curb irregular migration. These measures include plans to expand deportations for those whose asylum claims fail.
Eve Geddie of Amnesty International seized on the verdict to urge a change in approach, stating: “We hope today’s decision sends a strong signal to Greece and other European countries that solidarity, compassion and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.”
The case now joins earlier, separate trials where related charges against volunteers were also dismissed, setting a consistent judicial precedent against the criminalisation of humanitarian aid in Greek waters.
