Migrants disembark a Hellenic Coast Guard vessel after being rescued at open sea, on the island of Chios, Greece, October 26, 2021. REUTERSPIX: The United Nations on Friday urged all charges to be dropped in a long-delayed Greek trial of 24 migrant rescue workers accused of espionage, including prominent Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini.
“There has already been a chilling effect, with human rights defenders and humanitarian organisations forced to halt their human rights work in Greece and other EU countries,“ she said.Her comments came after the trial resumed earlier this week after more than a year, with leading rights groups denouncing the case as a masquerade.
Those on trial include Sarah Mardini, whose flight from Syria's civil war with her sister, Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini, inspired a Netflix film.