The United Nations asked Greece to drop all charges against 24 members of a search and rescue group accused of facilitating illegal migration into the European Union and other related crimes, the AFP reported on Friday citing UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell.
"Trials like these are deeply concerning because they criminalize life-saving work and set a dangerous precedent," Throssell was quoted as saying, going on to call for all charges against the aid workers to be dropped. The defendants worked for the NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) operating on the island in the period between 2016 and 2018 and include several foreign nationals.
The court proceedings commenced on January 10 on the Greek island of Lesbos after the previous trial was adjourned on procedural grounds.
