Drop all charges against refugee aid workers, UN tells Greece

Defendants argue they were doing nothing more than assisting people whose lives were at risk [Panagiotis Balaskas/AP Photo]

The United Nations has called on Greece to drop all charges against 24 migrant rescue workers accused of espionage, as hearings of a long-delayed trial resumed on Friday on the island of Lesbos.

Those on trial include prominent Syrian human rights worker Sarah Mardini, a refugee and competitive swimmer whose sister Yusra Mardini was part of the refugee swimming team at the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021.