Lesbos, Greece – Syrian competitive swimmer and humanitarian activist Sarah Mardini has been acquitted by a Greek court, along with 23 other volunteers, of human trafficking and criminal organisation charges related to their efforts to save migrants from drowning in the Aegean Sea.

The court ruling marks the conclusion of a seven-year legal ordeal for Mardini, whose life-saving actions inspired the 2022 Netflix film The Swimmers.

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Court Clears Volunteers of Humanitarian Aid Charges

The case, heard on the Greek island of Lesbos, involved volunteers with the nonprofit Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI). The presiding judge, Vassilis Papathanassiou, emphasised that all defendants acted to provide humanitarian aid rather than commit criminal acts:

“All defendants are acquitted of the charges because their aim was not to commit criminal acts but to provide humanitarian aid.”

Mardini, 30, who sought refuge in Germany in 2015, was present in court along with her Irish-German co-defendant Sean Binder. After the verdict, Mardini spoke emotionally:

“Saving human lives is not a crime. We never did anything illegal. If helping people is a crime, then we are all criminals.”

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Background: Life-Saving Rescues in the Aegean

In 2015, Mardini and her sister Yusra, who later competed for the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio, made a perilous journey from Turkiye to Lesbos, Greece. During the crossing, they helped rescue others from drowning.

In 2018, Mardini and other ERCI volunteers were arrested on allegations of human trafficking, charges widely criticised as attempts to intimidate and deter humanitarian work on the island. Mardini spent three months in detention following her arrest.

Lawyer Zaharias Kesses condemned the lengthy legal proceedings, saying:

“It is unacceptable for such high-profile cases to drag on for so long. The aim was to criminalise humanitarian aid and reduce the number of volunteers working on Lesbos from thousands to just a few dozen.”

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Human Rights Groups Praise Acquittal

The acquittal has been welcomed by international human rights organisations. Amnesty International described the charges as unjust and called on the European Union to implement safeguards against the criminalisation of humanitarian assistance:

“No one should be punished for trying to help.”

Human Rights Watch (HRW) also highlighted the chilling effect the case had on volunteer rescue efforts:

“Two dozen people were subjected to a seven-year legal ordeal on baseless charges for saving lives. These prosecutions have virtually shut down lifesaving work even as people continue to drown in the Aegean.”

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Wider Implications for Migrant Rescue Operations

Mardini’s case is one of several across Europe where volunteers assisting migrants and refugees face criminal charges. Italy, among other countries, has pursued legal action against life-saving humanitarian work, sparking concern among UN human rights experts.

Mary Lawlor, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, warned in December 2025 that proposed European legislation risked the criminalisation of life-saving actions, including aid to migrants, refugees, and children in need of international protection.

This was Greece’s second legal case against the ERCI volunteers. In 2023, they were acquitted on other charges, including alleged “espionage,” again related to their humanitarian work.

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Sarah Mardini: From Refugee to Humanitarian Symbol

Sarah Mardini’s story has become a symbol of courage, resilience, and humanitarian commitment. Her life-saving efforts, combined with her athletic achievements alongside her sister Yusra, have inspired global audiences and drawn attention to the plight of refugees in Europe.

In a statement after the verdict, Mardini reiterated her belief in the universality of human rights:

“We only wanted to save lives. Today, justice has been done, but the work to protect refugees continues.”

The acquittal is widely seen as a victory for humanitarian organisations and a reminder of the crucial role of volunteers in migrant rescue operations across the Mediterranean.