In September 2021, Younes from Afghanistan, tried to reach the EU from Türkiye by boat along with more than 150 other people. When they got into distress near Greek waters, Younes intervened and tried to save himself and the others from drowning. After being rescued and brought to Greece, he was accused of being part of the crew organizing the trip and charged with facilitating “unauthorized entry of others” (smuggling), “putting human life at risk” and “death”. After being sentenced to 155 years in prison, on December 7 2023, his appeal trial took place in Crete, where the court ruled that Greece had no jurisdiction over the case, as the incident occurred outside its coastal zone. He was therefore acquitted.
