Lesvos, Greece — December 2025 — Irish‑German humanitarian volunteer Seán Binder appeared before the Mytilene Court of Appeals today, facing a series of felony charges linked to his work assisting migrants and refugees arriving on the island of Lesvos. His case has drawn international attention, with human‑rights organisations warning that the proceedings reflect a broader trend of criminalising humanitarian aid across Europe.
Binder, a trained rescue diver, is among 24 defendants accused of offences including facilitating irregular entry, money laundering, and membership of a criminal organisation. The charges stem from his volunteer work with the search‑and‑rescue group Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) between 2016 and 2018. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
Rights advocates, including Amnesty International, have condemned the prosecution as unfounded, arguing that the defendants were engaged in life‑saving operations in waters where thousands of people have drowned attempting to reach safety. Amnesty has described the case as “humanity on trial,” saying it sends a dangerous message to volunteers who step in where state rescue capacity is limited.
The trial follows years of legal delays and earlier misdemeanor charges that were widely criticised and ultimately dismissed. Investigations by outlets such as OCCRP have noted that more than 20 humanitarian workers were swept into the case, raising concerns about the use of criminal law to deter civil‑society involvement in migrant rescue efforts.
Binder has consistently maintained that his actions were motivated by basic human decency. “Helping people who are drowning should never be a crime,” he has said in previous statements.
As the trial proceeds, international observers and legal experts are watching closely, warning that the outcome could shape how European states treat humanitarian responders in the years ahead.
