In recent years, the Greek authorities have been targeting asylum seekers, by accusing an increasing number of them as smugglers for driving the boat that brought them to the Greek shores. They are used as scapegoats for Europe’s failure to implement a cohesive reception and asylum policy and to provide safe passage for access to asylum.

In this context, Greek Courts in border regions are the most unyielding ones, characterized by high incarceration sentences, extensive rejection of mitigation pleas, gross violations of procedural rights, and vocal anti-migrant narratives expressed during the trials by the judicial seat.

Equal Rights Beyond Borders attempts to disrupt this narrative. Τhe status of an asylum seeker is incompatible with that of a smuggler. The criminalization of refugees and asylum seekers violates the Refugee Convention and jeopardizes their access to asylum.

In our client’s case, the Court ruled that steering the boat does not make him a smuggler. However, he still faces an imprisonment sentence for the facilitation of illegal entry, waiting for his appeal hearing.

“Despite the  uplifting result—relatively speaking—we cannot be at ease when a young innocent man remains trapped, waiting for justice to reach him in the inhuman conditions of Greek prisons. We will stay on his side to ensure he receives the legal support he deserves, enjoys his rights and is finally acquitted,” says Christina Balta, who represented the defendant.