Greek court sentences ‘illegal’ Syrian refugee to 52 years in prison

·

A Syrian refugee has been sentenced to 52 years in prison for crossing into Greece from Turkey last year, the Independent reported on Thursday.

A Mytiline court on the Greek island of Lesbos announced the decision last Friday on KS, the refugee identified only by his initials, ruling that his crossing was “illegal.” 

According to campaigners, KS had crossed from Turkey to the Greek island of Chios by boat with his family, including three young children, and dozens of others in early March 2020.

The family had originally sought refuge in Turkey after fleeing the civil war in Syria. However, KS claims that he had refused to participate in the Turkish military operation in Libya and was briefly imprisoned as a result.

Immigrants wait at a detention center in the village of Fylakio near the the Greek-Turkish border. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Following his release, he and his family sought to escape to Greece, traveling to Chios, the closest island by boat, only to be denied the right to asylum upon arrival due to a controversial policy introduced earlier that month.

Caught up in the chaos at the Greek-Turkish border, KS was one of many to be hit with “illegal entry” charges.

However, he was also accused of “facilitating illegal entry” and causing a “shipwreck “after Greek authorities accused him of having been at the helm of the boat that his brought his family and as many as 40 others to Greek shores.

“They want to show people to stay away from Greece and to criminalise people who are fleeing,” Johannes Körner, spokesperson for You Can’t Evict Solidarity, a campaign supporting asylum seekers in Greece, told The Independent.

As a result, he said, KS “will be sitting in prison for nothing… for just fleeing Turkey and fleeing Syria”.

“It’s insane,” Körner said. “It’s crazy that he’s been given such a long sentence”.

Sourced By: The Independent

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Paul Nicolaou calls for houses to replace horses at Rosehill Racecourse

Leading business figures are intensifying their calls for the replacement of horse racing with residential development at Rosehill.

Celebrating 92 years since establishment of world’s first modern milk bar

On 4 November 1932, Joachim Tavlaridis — known as Mick Adams — opened Australia’s first modern milk bar at 24 Martin Place, Sydney. 

Thanasi Kokkinakis clinches title at the 2024 Perpetual NSW Open

Thanasi Kokkinakis has been crowned an 2024 Perpetual NSW Open champion after clinching singles title at Sydney Olympic Park.

Miltiadis Tentoglou named 2024 Balkan male athlete of the year

Greek long jumper Miltiadis “Miltos” Tentoglou has been honoured as the top male athlete in Balkan athletics for 2024.

Giannis Antetokounmpo responds to Donald Trump’s remarks on his Greek heritage

Former President Donald Trump raised questions about Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo's Greek heritage.

You May Also Like

Steve Ploubidis faces long recovery after fire destroys his SA takeaway shop

Steve Ploubidis, owner of Plato’s Greek Chargrill, has suffered third-degree burns after a fire broke out in his restaurant early last month.

‘It’s okay to be different’: Nicky Panagiotou on raising a child with a disability

For Nicky Panagiotou, her daughter Doria is living proof that inclusive approaches to people with disabilities work.

Thessaloniki university to 3D print respirator valves for intensive care patients

Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University (AUTH) will reportedly start producing 50 respiratory valves every day to help cope with the shortages