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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Panagiotis Balaskas and Derek Gatopoulos

Syrian swimmer among activists cleared by Greek court of aiding migrant rescues

Migration Greece Trial - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A Greek court on Thursday acquitted a group of rescue volunteers who aided migrants on the island of Lesbos, ending a case that drew criticism from international human rights groups.

The 24 defendants include Syrian competitive swimmer Sarah Mardini, who was arrested in 2018 and whose ordeal inspired the 2022 Netflix sporting drama “The Swimmers.”

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