EU lawmakers aid Somali man fighting life sentence in Greece

A Somali migrant serving life in jail for individuals smuggling appeared in courtroom on Monday to enchantment his sentence, in a case backed by a gaggle of European Parliament members who say he was wrongfully convicted.

Mohammad Hanad Abdi was sentenced to 142 years in jail in 2021 after being convicted following a lethal crossing in a dinghy from Turkey to the close by Greek island of Lesbos the earlier yr.

Abdi mentioned he had solely steered the dinghy after it had been deserted by a Turkish smuggler throughout the crossing. Two individuals drowned when the vessel took on water whereas 33 others have been rescued. Most of the survivors backed the Somali man’s account of occasions, in accordance with Abdi’s attorneys.

The case has introduced consideration to draconian sentencing tips in Greece launched in recent times as a part of an effort to struggle unlawful migration into the European Union.

A Greek left-wing member of the European Parliament, Stelios Kouloglou, is main the marketing campaign to have most of the convictions reexamined, an effort backed by different European lawmakers in addition to Greek performing artists who’ve helped elevate cash for authorized charges.

Final month, two Afghan males, Akif Razouli and Amir Zahiri, who had obtained 50-year jail sentences, have been launched from jail on enchantment. Razouli was cleared whereas Zahiri was launched after his sentence was decreased to eight years.

“Worldwide solidarity is important for these refugees, who’re victims of this unjust apply by the Greek authorities to sentence harmless individuals with extreme sentences,” Kouloglou mentioned in an internet submit earlier than the trial.

Fifteen European Parliament members have backed his marketing campaign, signing letters of criticism to Greek authorities.

The nation’s centre-right authorities has described its migration coverage as “strict however truthful,” arguing that robust sentencing for smugglers is a key a part of the nation’s border defence coverage.