Good moves around the world
GREECE SEÁN BINDER ACQUITTED
A Greek court has acquitted Seán Binder, who faced up to 20 years in prison for his work as a volunteer rescuer helping people in distress and at risk of drowning at sea in the Mediterranean. He and 23 co-defendants were acquitted of all criminal charges, including membership of a criminal organisation, fraud, money laundering and smuggling (facilitation of irregular entry), by the Court of Appeal of Lesvos on 15 January. Seán began volunteering for the search- and-rescue NGO ERCI on Lesvos in 2017. He patrolled the Greek coastline, spotting rubber boats in distress and assisting people who made it to shore. In 2018, the Greek authorities arrested Seán and detained him for more than 100 days before releasing him on bail. They also brought criminal charges against the 23 other defendants linked to ERCI. Between 2023-2024, misdemeanour charges of forgery, espionage, and unlawful use of radio frequencies, were dropped against Seán and the other defendants. But the more serious felony charges remained in
6 AMNESTY SPRING 2026
place until the recent hearing. Seán said: ‘The court reached the only decision it could today based on the limited legal basis of the charges and the flimsy evidence the prosecutor presented. It is a huge relief that I will not spend the next 20 years in a prison cell, but at the same time, it is troubling that this should ever have been a possibility. Today, it was made clear, as it should always have been, that providing life-saving humanitarian assistance is an obligation, not a crime… This acquittal must set a precedent.’
Eve Geddie, director of Amnesty’s European Institutions Office, welcomed the court ruling, but reiterated that the charges should never have been brought in the first place. ‘Seán’s human rights have been violated, and his life has remained on hold for many years,’ she added. ‘We hope today’s decision sends a strong signal to Greece and other European countries that solidarity, compassion and defending human rights should be protected and celebrated, not punished.’
PHOTO
Seán Binder hugs his mum after being acquitted on 15 January © AI
It is a huge relief that I will not spend the next 20 years in a prison cell
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