Greek Court Clears 24 Rescuers Who Saved Migrants at Sea

After seven years of legal uncertainty, justice finally smiled on 24 people who dedicated themselves to saving lives at sea.

A Greek court on Thursday cleared all volunteers with Emergency Response Centre International, including Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini, of human trafficking and criminal organization charges. The volunteers had been arrested in 2018 for their work rescuing migrants and refugees attempting the dangerous crossing from Turkey to Lesbos.

"Saving human lives is not a crime," an emotional Mardini told reporters after the verdict. The presiding judge agreed, ruling that the defendants' aim was "not to commit criminal acts but to provide humanitarian aid."

Mardini's own story captured hearts worldwide when Netflix adapted it into the 2022 film "The Swimmers." In 2015, she and her sister Yusra fled Syria and helped save fellow passengers from drowning when their boat's motor failed during the Aegean Sea crossing. Yusra went on to compete as part of the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio.

Rather than being celebrated for her courage, Mardini faced three months in Greek prison in 2018 and years of legal battles. Her co-defendant Sean Binder, an Irish-German volunteer, endured the same ordeal.

The case had a chilling effect on humanitarian work. Attorney Zaharias Kesses noted that thousands of volunteers once operated on Lesbos, but after these arrests, only a few dozen remained. Meanwhile, people continued drowning in the Aegean Sea without adequate rescue support.

The Ripple Effect

This verdict sends waves far beyond one Greek courtroom. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International immediately called on the European Union to introduce stronger legal protections for humanitarian workers.

The acquittal challenges a troubling trend across Europe, where several countries have moved to criminalize lifesaving assistance to migrants. UN human rights experts had warned in December that such laws risk punishing those who help trafficking victims, refugees, and asylum seekers, including children.

The ruling also marks Greece's second failed attempt to prosecute these same volunteers. In 2023, they were acquitted of separate charges including "espionage" related to their humanitarian work.

For the 24 defendants, the emotional toll of seven years under criminal investigation cannot be erased, but their vindication strengthens the legal foundation for future rescuers. Their perseverance proved that compassion can withstand even the longest legal storms.