292:
444:, was quoted as follows: “These trumped-up charges are farcical and should never have resulted in Sarah and Seán appearing in court. Today’s adjournment means that having already waited over three years, this ordeal will continue to drag on for Sarah and Seán, leaving them in limbo. We call for the Greek authorities to uphold their human rights obligations, and drop the charges against Sarah and Seán.” After the dismissal of the charges in January 23, Amnesty International was quoted referring to the larger issue of
383:
espionage against
Mardini and the other defendants were at least partially inadmissible and rejected the case. Among other procedural objections, these were the court's initial failure to translate documents for the foreign defendants into a language they could understand as well as faulty documentation of some of the charges. However, the charges of human trafficking remained and the defendants must await a second trial. According to a report in the German weekly
38:
325:
370:
On 18 November 2021, a court in Lesbos island adjourned the legal proceedings against 24 members of ERCI, including
Mardini and Binder, "due to lack of jurisdiction of the court" and referred the case to a higher court. On 18 November 2022, Binder, Mardini and Greek fellow defendant Nassos Karakitsos
320:
Mardini was arrested on Lesbos airport on 21 August 2018, when she intended to return to
Germany for the beginning of her second year at college in Berlin. On the same day, Seán Binder, a trained rescue diver and volunteer for the same NGO, went to the police station to meet with Sarah Mardini and
436:
working for migrant rights in Greece.” With regard to the accusations against
Mardini and Binder, she further said: “To what have we come that we go against people who are offering solidarity? A guilty verdict for Ms. Mardini and Mr. Binder would be a dark day for Greece, and a dark day for human
316:
and other organizations as an "open air prison". Having assisted refugees as a translator in this camp for six months, Mardini said: "I talk them through it. I tell them, ‘I know what you feel, because I’ve been through it. I lived it, and I survived’, and they feel better, because I am a refugee
303:
in New York and for audiences in
Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. In autumn 2016, 21-year-old Sarah Mardini returned to Lesbos to work as a volunteer lifeguard with Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI), a Greek humanitarian NGO for refugees that cooperated with
382:
After more than four years of protracted legal procedures by the Greek authorities and personal psychological stress and uncertainty for the defendants after the first arrests, the trial of 24 rescuers began on 10 January 2023. On the following 13 January, the court ruled that the charges of
1220:
508:). Starting on 23 March 2023, the film was shown in several German cities in the presence of Sarah Mardini, Seán Binder and director Charly Wai Feldman. Later that year, this documentary was broadcast by German public television and the German-French channel
362:
The defendants' lawyers said the Greek authorities failed to produce concrete evidence in support of the accusations. If ultimately convicted, the accused could be sentenced to 25 years in prison. Apart from the 24 former members of ERCI, a number of other
432:, criticized the Greek authorities' refusal to allow Mardini to be present at the November 2021 court session and said “The fact that authorities have spent more than three years investigating the case has been a deterrent to
371:
attended their court summons at the first instance court, and declared that they had nothing to add to their earlier statements. Their trial was set to begin on 10 January 2023, with the accused facing charges classified as
216:, with her parents and two younger sisters, Yusra and Shahed. As children, both Sarah and Yusra were encouraged and trained for swimming competitions by their father, a professional coach and former
1035:
389:, the verdict was not a complete acquittal for Mardini, Binder and the other defendants, but at least an intermediate win, and also a political signal in a procedure that a report by the
255:, Yusra, Sarah, and two other people, who were able to swim, jumped into the water. They pulled the boat through the water for over three hours, until the group reached the island of
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called the 'currently largest case of criminalizing solidarity in Europe'. Following the verdict, Seán Binder commented to journalists outside the courtroom:
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279:
in
September 2015. Their parents and younger sister later also fled Syria and were granted political asylum in Germany. In 2017, Mardini became a student at
919:
452:
This case is a textbook example of how the criminal justice system can be misused by the authorities to punish and deter the work of human rights defenders.
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813:
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workers have been facing prosecution in Greece, similar to what happened in Italy, where providing aid to migrants has also been criminalised.
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626:
338:, they and two other NGO members were detained in pre-trial detention for 106 days, "with Mardini being incarcerated in Athens’ high-security
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and could leave Greece. Mardini, Binder and further Greek activists for refugees were accused of being members of a criminal organization,
748:
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421:
696:
291:
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440:
After the dismissal by the local court in Lesbos island on 18 November 2021, Giorgos
Kosmopoulos, Senior Campaigner on Migration for
891:
721:
500:
On 10 March, 2023, the German section of
Amnesty International announced an 89-minute documentary film about Sarah Mardini titled
531:
1351:
1331:
1293:
2020 report on
European restrictive, sanctioning and punitive measures against people who defend refugees and migrants’ rights.
300:
1194:
200:, denouncing the accusations against Mardini and other humanitarian workers and defending their actions as legal activities.
604:
1321:
521:
467:
The
Mardini sisters' early life and flight from Syria to Germany was described in Yusra Mardini's autobiographical book
1009:
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651:
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after being awarded a full scholarship from the College's Program for International Education and Social Change.
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and belonging to a criminal organization. These charges have been refuted by human rights organizations such as
1326:
473:
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of 30 January 2023, Mardini no longer gives interviews, as the years of indictment had burdened her too much.
1222:
Dokumentation & Reportage: Gegen den Strom – Sara Mardinis Einsatz für die Menschlichkeit | ARD Mediathek
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himself. Later, they joined recognized swimming teams in Syria as well as the Syrian national swimming team.
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in Germany, Sarah Mardini joined a non-governmental organization to help refugees on the Greek island of
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489:; Sarah and Yusra are portrayed by real-life sisters Manal and Nathalie Issa. The film premiered at the
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We want this case to be heard. We want justice. Today, there has been less injustice, but no justice.
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was arrested himself. A third member of the NGO, Nassos Karakitsos was arrested shortly afterwards.
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313:
309:
1244:"Sara Mardini - Gegen den Strom - Sara Mardinis Einsatz für die Menschlichkeit - Die ganze Doku"
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576:
1288:"How I was arrested for handing out blankets to refugees" with Sarah Mardini at TEDxLondonWomen
1092:"Greece: Guilty verdict for migrant rights defenders could mean more deaths at sea – UN expert"
677:
1066:
983:
756:
478:
347:
339:
865:"Smuggling charges against humanitarian workers who saved refugees in Greece must be dropped"
787:"Migrant rights defenders Seán Binder, Sara Mardini and Nassos Karakitsos receive trial date"
247:
with 18 other migrants in a boat that was designed for no more than 6 or 7 people. After the
976:"Greek court rejects charges against aid workers, including Sarah Mardini of 'The Swimmers'"
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409:
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224:
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132:
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342:." After more than three months in prison, Binder and Mardini were released on 5,000 Euro
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109:
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185:
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1118:"Butterfly by Yusra Mardini review – the refugee swimmer whose story swept the world"
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140:
136:
90:
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1169:"The Swimmers chosen as Toronto International Film Festival opening night gala film"
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Seán Binder, human rights activist accused of illegally helping refugees in Lesbos,
37:
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125:
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According to a report on the trial against the volunteers in the German newspaper
151:, saving themselves and the other passengers. Continuing their journey across the
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372:
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Korydallos Prison, where Mardini was held during 106 days in pre-trial detention
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259:. Following this, they travelled on foot, by bus and train through Greece, the
1301:
1271:
1144:"Real-life Sisters Cast to Star in Netflix/Working Title Drama 'The Swimmers'"
252:
1272:
Video about the accusations against Binder, Mardini and other members of ERCI
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814:"Refugee activist facing Greek court left 'in limbo' after trial postponed"
920:"Greece: humanitarian workers' lives remain on hold as trial is adjourned"
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and Greek border authorities. ERCI had been operating a medical centre in
1281:
605:"From Syrian Refugee to Olympic Swimmer: Yusra Mardini Goes for the Gold"
385:
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Advocating for refugees, she and her sister Yusra have spoken before the
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58:
1038:[Trial on Lesvos: A little less injustice] (in German). Die Zeit
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1010:"Syrian Refugee Who Inspired Netflix's 'Swimmers' on Trial in Greece"
652:"Refugee swimmer Yusra Mardini gets a chance to go the Olympic Games"
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276:
256:
248:
240:
232:
227:, Sarah and Yusra decided to flee Syria in August 2015. They reached
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156:
148:
697:"Refugee aid workers face years in prison as trial starts in Greece"
892:"NGOs lament 'human cost' of Italy's push to curb refugee arrivals"
749:"Sarah Mardini: Eine Flüchtlingshelferin, die im Gefängnis landete"
751:[Sarah Mardini: A refugee worker who ended up in prison].
625:
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (27 December 2016).
323:
290:
117:
62:
722:"Human Rights Watch Says Lesbos Refugee Center "Open-Air Prison""
509:
343:
244:
188:, she was arrested in 2018 and accused by Greek authorities of
1059:"Prozess gegen Flüchtlingshelfer: Warten auf ein freies Leben"
471:. Further, Sarah and Yusra Mardini are the main characters of
946:"Greek trial of 24 rescuers who saved migrants in Med begins"
552:"Sara Mardini: Where is Yusra's Sister Now? Is She in Jail?"
1058:
251:
stopped working and the boat began to take on water in the
840:"'I was handcuffed to a guy who had murdered two people'"
627:"Syrian refugee uses swimming skills to rescue others"
417:
Statements by international human rights organizations
16:
Syrian lifeguard and human rights activist (born 1995)
1278:
Video 'I am not a people smuggler’ with Sarah Mardini
1304:
Sara Mardini: Gegen den Strom (Against the current)
1036:"Prozess auf Lesbos: Etwas weniger Ungerechtigkeit"
86:
69:
47:
21:
1096:UN Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights
493:on 8 September 2022 and released for streaming by
295:Moria refugee camp on Lesbos island, Greece, 2020
450:
395:
1306:, Germany 2023, directed by Charly Wai Feldman
8:
1195:"Gegen den Strom": Die syrische Schwimmerin"
287:Activism for refugees and legal accusations
1308:on YouTube (English with German subtitles)
163:, the same year. She was named one of the
36:
18:
131:. Fleeing her country in 2015 during the
173:magazine in 2023, alongside her sister.
165:100 most influential people in the world
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1008:Kokkinidis, Tasos (12 January 2023).
969:
967:
914:
912:
781:
779:
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448:against human rights organisations:
223:When their home was destroyed in the
7:
1057:Jakob, Christian (30 January 2023).
747:Spannagel, Lars (6 September 2018).
620:
618:
143:, they pulled their boat with other
1142:Roxborough, Scott (20 April 2021).
550:Prasad, Sumith (23 November 2022).
491:Toronto International Film Festival
457:Amnesty International, January 2023
184:. Along with human rights activist
176:After the sisters had been granted
147:towards the Mediterranean coast of
113:
1034:Lars Spannagel (13 January 2023).
812:Smith, Helena (18 November 2021).
481:based on their story, directed by
14:
1372:Prisoners and detainees of Greece
974:Harlan, Chico (14 January 2023).
695:Moira Lavelle (10 January 2023).
379:charges have not been concluded.
1347:Refugees of the Syrian civil war
532:Refugees of the Syrian civil war
354:and fraud by Greek authorities.
1197:[Against the current].
678:"Sara Mardini Released on Bail"
42:Sarah Mardini in Berlin in 2019
1116:Edemariam, Aida (9 May 2018).
1:
502:Sara Mardini: Gegen den Strom
522:2015 European migrant crisis
120:former competition swimmer,
1367:Syrian emigrants to Germany
55:1995 (age 28–29)
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332:According to a report in
208:Sarah Mardini grew up in
35:
28:
1302:Trailer for documentary
1274:by Amnesty International
275:, where they settled in
29:
753:Der Tagesspiegel Online
527:Frontex – controversies
1352:Syrian female swimmers
1332:Human rights activists
1148:The Hollywood Reporter
460:
430:Human Rights Defenders
405:
329:
296:
235:. They arranged to be
1297:Amnesty International
1063:Die Tageszeitung: taz
924:Amnesty International
869:Amnesty International
442:Amnesty International
426:UN Special Rapporteur
327:
294:
204:Early life and flight
198:Amnesty International
104:alternative spelling
1322:People from Damascus
791:Front Line Defenders
446:criminal accusations
428:on the Situation of
890:Varghese, Sanjana.
726:The National Herald
682:Bard College Berlin
506:Against the current
437:rights in Europe.”
391:European Parliament
301:UN General Assembly
281:Bard College Berlin
194:illegal immigration
1173:The Globe and Mail
926:. 18 November 2021
728:. 22 November 2018
497:in November 2022.
463:In popular culture
375:crimes, while the
330:
314:Human Rights Watch
310:Moria refugee camp
297:
116:; born 1995) is a
1014:GreekReporter.com
952:. 10 January 2023
896:www.aljazeera.com
871:. 4 December 2018
844:www.aljazeera.com
793:. 6 December 2022
479:biographical film
358:Court proceedings
348:human trafficking
340:Korydallos prison
317:just like them."
135:with her sister,
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611:. 24 March 2017.
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485:and produced by
483:Sally El Hoseini
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352:money laundering
225:Syrian Civil War
178:political asylum
133:Syrian civil war
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658:. 20 March 2016
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585:. 13 April 2023
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556:The Cinemaholic
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1266:External links
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1199:www.amnesty.de
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1175:. 27 July 2022
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838:Fallon, Katy.
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487:Stephen Daldry
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218:sports swimmer
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1065:(in German).
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755:(in German).
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702:
701:www.devex.com
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91:Yusra Mardini
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70:Occupation(s)
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52:Sarah Mardini
50:
46:
39:
34:
27:
23:Sarah Mardini
20:
1303:
1252:. Retrieved
1247:
1238:
1227:, retrieved
1221:
1215:
1203:. Retrieved
1198:
1189:
1177:. Retrieved
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1163:
1151:. Retrieved
1147:
1137:
1125:. Retrieved
1122:the Guardian
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1099:. Retrieved
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1074:. Retrieved
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899:. Retrieved
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873:. Retrieved
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847:. Retrieved
843:
833:
821:. Retrieved
818:the Guardian
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795:. Retrieved
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764:. Retrieved
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704:. Retrieved
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660:. Retrieved
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634:. Retrieved
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587:. Retrieved
580:
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559:. Retrieved
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474:The Swimmers
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369:
365:humanitarian
361:
335:The Guardian
333:
331:
319:
298:
222:
207:
175:
168:
126:human rights
114:سارة مارديني
105:
101:
100:
98:
78:human rights
30:سارة مارديني
1357:1995 births
1250:(in German)
1225:(in German)
1201:(in German)
1179:11 December
1101:10 December
797:13 December
766:11 December
422:Mary Lawlor
373:misdemeanor
231:, and then
186:Seán Binder
1342:Sea rescue
1316:Categories
1153:8 November
1127:9 December
1042:13 January
1019:17 January
956:10 January
930:9 December
901:17 January
875:9 December
849:13 January
823:9 December
706:12 January
636:9 December
577:"Time 100"
538:References
253:Aegean Sea
243:island by
1254:18 August
1229:18 August
1076:19 August
1071:0931-9085
993:18 August
988:0190-8286
761:1865-2263
732:7 January
561:7 January
469:Butterfly
192:, aiding
190:espionage
122:lifeguard
87:Relatives
74:Lifeguard
1282:BBC News
1205:29 March
662:25 March
656:SwimSwam
589:15 April
516:See also
455:—
400:—
386:Die Zeit
237:smuggled
214:Damascus
145:refugees
139:swimmer
129:activist
81:activist
59:Damascus
495:Netflix
306:Frontex
273:Germany
269:Austria
265:Hungary
261:Balkans
239:onto a
229:Lebanon
210:Darayya
161:Germany
153:Balkans
137:Olympic
1286:Video
1069:
986:
759:
377:felony
277:Berlin
257:Lesbos
233:Turkey
182:Lesbos
157:Berlin
149:Greece
118:Syrian
110:Arabic
631:UNHCR
609:Vogue
249:motor
241:Greek
63:Syria
1256:2023
1248:ARTE
1231:2023
1207:2023
1181:2022
1155:2022
1129:2022
1103:2022
1078:2023
1067:ISSN
1044:2023
1021:2023
995:2023
984:ISSN
958:2023
932:2022
903:2023
877:2022
851:2023
825:2022
799:2022
768:2022
757:ISSN
734:2023
708:2023
664:2016
638:2022
591:2023
582:Time
563:2023
510:ARTE
477:, a
344:bail
267:and
245:boat
170:Time
124:and
76:and
48:Born
1295:by
1280:on
950:BBC
410:taz
271:to
167:by
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