A court on the Greek island of Lesbos has dropped espionage charges against volunteer aid worker Seán Binder, who grew up in Ireland, and 23 others, in a trial denounced by rights groups as a sham.
Branded as "the largest case of criminalisation of solidarity in Europe" in a European Parliament report, the trial has also seen the activists probed for human trafficking, money laundering, fraud and the unlawful use of radio frequencies.
Mr Binder, who grew up in Co Kerry, and 23 others were being tried for misdemeanours in relation to people smuggling on the island of Lesbos.
The defendants have said they were only helping people.
This morning, the prosecution acknowledged serious flaws in the charges against the 24 defendants and has recommended an annulment of the trial.
Key documents such as the indictments were not translated for the non-Greek defendants, while the charges of espionage have been too vague to continue the prosecution.
This means that the charges will most likely run out of time under the statute of limitations and the defendants will not be charged again.
Felony charges remain against the accused however, with a future court date not yet set, but today's outcome undermines their legal basis.
'Mixed feelings'
Seán Binder said that he is "generally delighted" but has "mixed feelings" after the espionage charges were dropped.
Speaking to RTÉ's News at One, he said: "Mixed feelings, right off the bat, I am very happy that I can no longer brag about being a supposed spy, that is excellent news, but at the same time, this isn't necessarily justice.
"Justice would have been having a trial four years ago and being found not guilty.
"Whereas now, what has happened is we're not getting to a trial because the prosecution has made so many errors at a trial that became impossible within the statute of limitations, so mixed feelings, but generally delighted."
The ruling came just hours after the United Nations called for the charges to be dropped.
Among those also charged is Syrian swimmer Sarah Mardini, whose family story and dramatic crossing of the Aegean Sea in 2015 inspired Netflix film 'The Swimmers'.
Some 50 humanitarian workers are currently facing prosecution in Greece, following a trend in Italy which has also criminalised the provision of aid to migrants.
Greece's conservative government, elected in 2019, has vowed to make the country "less attractive" to migrants.
Part of that strategy involves extending an existing 40km wall on the Turkish border in the Evros region by 80km.
Additional reporting AFP
