United Against Inhumanity stands in solidarity with Sara Mardini, Seán Binder, Nassos Karakitsos and all other humanitarians whose long-delayed felony trial opens this week on Lesvos, on 4 December 2025. After more than seven years of investigations, pre-trial detention and legal limbo, they are finally appearing before a court to answer charges that should never have been brought, as their work consisted of helping people in distress at Europe’s borders.
This trial is not an isolated case but part of a wider pattern in Europe and beyond, where those who act to save lives or uphold basic rights at the border are increasingly monitored, smeared or prosecuted. As proceedings begin in Lesvos, United Against Inhumanity expresses its support for Sara, Seán, Nassos, their co-defendants and all human rights defenders facing persecution for their humanitarian work — a trend replicated across many countries in recent years.
United Against Inhumanity calls for all unfounded charges to be dropped and for European states to end the use of criminal law to intimidate or obstruct humanitarian action. Protecting people from harm and preventing avoidable deaths must be recognised and safeguarded as a legal and moral obligation, not punished.
This case also highlights the urgent need for a humane reception — the kind of system set out in UAI’s Borders Campaign Manifesto. The Manifesto stresses that European states can manage borders without inflicting suffering, violence or trauma on those seeking safety. People arriving at Europe’s borders must be allowed to lodge an asylum claim, receive legal advice in a language they understand, and never be punished for crossing irregularly. Reception systems should provide registration, basic services, adequate accommodation and protection for vulnerable groups, while ensuring access to asylum procedures and rescue for those in distress. These principles stand in stark contrast to the environment in which humanitarians are now being prosecuted.
Press Release
Felony trial set for 4 December 2025
After more than seven years since their initial arrest, the felony trial against humanitarians on Lesvos, Greece, is finally set to begin on 4 December 2025. The defendants face immediate imprisonment of up to 20 years if found guilty of the charges, which include facilitation of illegal entry. The trial will take place at the Lesvos courthouse and is expected to last around 20 working days.
Free Humanitarians, the campaign established on behalf of some of the defendants, welcomes the announcement of the trial date. After years pushing for justice, the extreme delay is itself an injustice with deadly consequences. Prosecutions like this have made humanitarian activity more difficult and have made European borders more deadly. At a time when the rule of law is eroding and human rights are being violated, this trial must apply the law, all of which protects humanitarian activity.
International human rights concerns
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has previously warned that trials like this are deeply concerning because they criminalise life-saving work and set a dangerous precedent. The UN Human Rights Office reiterated its call for all charges against the defendants to be dismissed, noting that saving lives and providing humanitarian assistance should never be criminalised or prosecuted. Such actions are a humanitarian and human rights imperative.
The UN also has long-standing concerns that anti-smuggling legislation in several European countries is being used to criminalise both migrants and those who assist them. Addressing migrant smuggling ultimately depends on creating and expanding safe pathways for regular migration.
Felony charges
The felony charges are:
• Formation and membership of a criminal organisation (Article 187 of the Criminal Code)
• Facilitation of illegal entry (Articles 29 and 30 of Law 4251/2014 on Foreigners)
• Money laundering (Articles 1, 2, 3 and 45 of Law 3691/2008)
Chronology
• 9 February 2018: Sara Mardini and Seán Binder are arrested by Mytilene police and released after 48 hours pending investigation.
• 9 August 2018: They are arrested again and placed in pre-trial detention. There are 24 defendants in total.
• 5 December 2018: Sara, Seán, Nassos Karakitsos and two others detained are released on bail.
• 2019: The investigator closes the case file and sends it to the Judicial Council to decide whether a trial should proceed.
• August 2021: A trial date of 18 November 2021 is set for the alleged misdemeanours of the 24 defendants. The hearing does not proceed due to a jurisdictional issue.
• 11 January 2023: At the adjourned trial, all misdemeanour charges are dismissed by the Lesvos court at the prosecutor’s request. A different prosecutor appeals the dismissal to the Supreme Court.
• 16 May 2023: The appeal is heard by the Supreme Court.
• Early September 2023: The Supreme Court confirms the dismissal of all misdemeanour charges against Sara and Seán (Forgery, Infringement of state secrets, Espionage, Possession of a radio without a licence).
• January 2024: The other defendants are tried again for the same misdemeanours and are acquitted of all charges.
For more info and support this fight for justice, visit https://www.freehumanitarians.org/
