Humanitarian Aid Workers Face Greek Court Over Migrant Rescue OperationsWed 14th Jan, 2026On the Greek island of Lesbos, 24 humanitarian aid workers are currently facing trial on charges related to assisting migrants in crossing from Turkey to Greece. After settling in Germany, Mardini returned to Lesbos to work with a non-governmental organization focused on providing emergency support to arriving migrants. The case has been described by observers as a significant example of the criminalization of humanitarian work within the European Union, especially as migration policies become more restrictive across the region. Greek authorities allege that the aid workers used their humanitarian roles as a cover for involvement in smuggling operations. The verdict is expected soon, and both the defendants and supporters of humanitarian work are awaiting the decision, which could have lasting consequences for the future of non-governmental rescue operations in Europe.

Source: The Munich Eye January 15, 2026 02:31 UTC