A long-awaited trial against 24 members of humanitarian organizations began on the Greek island of Lesbos on Tuesday. They are suspected of smuggling, espionage and money laundering. Among the suspects is Syrian refugee aid worker Sarah Mardini. She is represented by lawyers, the state radio reported.
Dozens of members of three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been charged with smuggling on the eastern Aegean island of Lesbos. According to the police, they have systematically supported the crossing of migrants from Turkey to Greece. They illegally intercepted police and coast guard radio communications and passed on the positions of coast guard boats and vessels to migrants wishing to cross from Turkey to Greece and thus to the EU. The defendants’ lawyers characterized these allegations as a “farce”.
The police became aware of the activities of one of the NGOs when in February 2018 they arrested two of their members who were driving on Lesvos in a vehicle with fake Greek army number plates. This was followed by months of research and observation by the NGOs.
Sarah Mardini has become known to a wider audience through the current Netflix drama “The Swimmers”. The film by director Sally El Hosaini tells the story of the sisters Sarah and Yusra Mardini, who made headlines in 2015: The two swimmers are said to have pulled a refugee boat behind them for hours with a rope, which was in distress off the island of Lesbos. Then the two settled in Germany.
It is unclear how long the trial will take, lawyers for the defendants said on the radio. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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