Greece Drops Criminal Charges Against Aid Workers: Insufficient Evidence
Greece has dropped criminal charges against over 30 international aid workers, mostly German nationals, who were accused of setting up a criminal organization and aiding traffickers bringing migrants into the country through Lesbos island in 2020.
The case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence, according to court documents and a lawyer representing some of the aid workers.
Greece faced a massive influx of refugees and migrants to Europe in 2015 and 2016, with many entering through its outlying islands near Turkey, including Lesbos.
A Greek investigation into humanitarian workers using an alarm phone for migrants and asylum seekers in distress at sea has been dropped due to lack of evidence.
The case involved undercover agents who infiltrated the group, believing they were passing on confidential information on Greek coast guard movements and vessel equipment.
However, a magistrate's investigation found that the information and visual material collected were not confidential, and there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations against the defendants.