Appeals Court acquits 24 aid workers in Lesvos migration case

A Greek appeals court on Thursday acquitted 24 volunteers and humanitarian workers involved in migrant rescue efforts on the island of Lesvos, bringing to an end a long-running criminal case linked to migration management.

The Three-member Felony Appeal Court of the North Aegean ruled that the charges had been filed collectively, without establishing individual criminal responsibility. Judges noted that arrest warrants failed to specify personal roles or actions, and in some cases were issued while defendants were not even in Greece.

The court found no evidence of a criminal organization, stressing that a WhatsApp group could not constitute such a structure and that the defendants’ primary aim was humanitarian assistance. It also ruled that monitoring shores to save lives did not amount to facilitating illegal entry, as there was no proof of attempts to help migrants evade authorities.

Prosecutors failed to substantiate allegations of smuggling, transport, or money laundering. The court ordered the return of bail payments and seized property.