Our cases
Since 2015, the fight against smuggling has been a key focus of European migration policy, but due to a deliberately broad legal definition, it is often people on the move themselves who are criminalized.
With thousands across the EU and its external borders charged with ‘smuggling’ or ‘facilitating unauthorized entry’.
In the absence of safe and legal alternatives, many seeking protection are forced to undertake perilous journeys by boat or car. Some are coerced or choose to take on the task of driving to lower the cost of the journey, while others are simply trying to bring themselves and their families to safety.
Despite the lack of evidence, individuals are frequently arrested upon arrival, accused of smuggling, and detained for long periods without adequate legal support. Trials are often brief, unfair, and result in harsh sentences and fines.
Below, you can find the stories of a few of the affected individuals whom we have been able to support so far.
Former cases:
- All
- Crete
- Syros
- Uncategorized
Trial against 18-Year-Old Abdulrahman and another Sudanese teenager
Greece, Crete.
18-year-old Abdulrahman spoke up for his co-passenger, yet both were charged — their story is a stark example of both the absurdity of this criminalization and the solidarity of those affected.
18-Year-Old Ariad and 19-Year-Old Chatiem Sentenced to ‘only’ 10 years instead of 300
Greece, Crete.
On April 30, 2025, the trials of Ariad & Chatiem took place. They faced the prospect of 355 and 90 years in prison. This is what a ‘legal victory’ looks like in a deeply unjust system.
“I fled my home not because I wanted to, but because I had to.”
Greece, Crete.
With a broken arm and still a minor, he fled the war. Five days after turning 18, he was arrested and now faces life in prison for helping on the boat.
19-Year-Old Refugee Faces Life in Prison for Distributing Food on the Boat
Greece, Crete.
On April 7, 2025, Emmanuel, a 19-year-old refugee from Sudan who lost half of his family during the war, will stand trial in Chania.
Abdelhafiz O. sentenced to 36 years and 6 months
Greece, Crete
On December 28, 2023, Abdelhafiz O., a father of two from Egypt, set …
H. and M. Elfallah, father and son, faced 4670 years in prison
Greece, Crete
On November 22, 2022, a fishing boat departed from Libya carrying nearly 500 …
Younes acquitted after being sentenced to 155 years in prison
Greece, Crete
In September 2021, Younes from Afghanistan, tried to reach the EU from Türkiye …
#Paros3 sentenced to a total of 439 years
Greece, Syros
08.05.22 – The three fathers were convicted of “facilitating unauthorised entry”, resulting in a sentence of 187 years for the “captain” and 126 years for each of the two “assistants”.