AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL has called on Greece to drop the charges against an Irish humanitarian worker and 23 others on trial after saving hundreds of lives.

The trial against Irish citizen Sean Binder, Syrian refugee Sara Mardini, Greek citizen Nassos Karakitsos and others began on Thursday on the island of Lesbos. 

Mr Binder, Ms Mardini and Mr Karakitsos were members of Emergency Response Centre International, a search-and-rescue group operating on Lesbos between 2016 and 2018, and were arrested in February 2018. 

They were eventually charged with facilitating illegal entry into Greece, belonging to a criminal organisation and money laundering.

Amnesty International’s deputy director for research in Europe Esther Major said: “Humanitarian workers like Sean Binder should never be prosecuted for showing compassion to people in dire need.

“Sean did what any of us would hope to do in his position: help people in danger in one of the deadliest sea routes in Europe. This is not just humane — it is lawful and necessary.”

“It is farcical that this trial is happening at all. The charges against Sean are baseless and should be dropped.”

The court heard from both the prosecution and defence teams today. After two long days of cross-examination, the court has been adjourned until January 15.

Free Humanitarians, an organisation campaigning against the charges raised against the 24 refugee rescuers said: “We will not stop until justice prevails. Please continue to stand in solidarity with the defendants.”