Palestinian refugees among the victims of criminalization of asylum seekers in Greece
On Wednesday, 21st January, Ziad from Gaza will face a 25-years-long sentence in a court on Rhodes, Greece. He is one of the many asylum seekers criminalised by the Greek state – with EU’s full complicity – as a “smuggler”.
“I managed to leave Gaza for Egypt, and then to Turkey. I did my best there to obtain residency and family reunification, but I was unsuccessful. So, I continued my journey towards Europe, searching for safety for my family.” – writes Ziad in his statement.
In August 2024, he managed to reach Rhodes Island on a rubber boat together with other desperate people seeking safety. Once apprehended by Greek coast guard, he was accused of having held the rudder and put in pre-trial detention in a criminal prison in Athens. He has spent the last 17 months there. The day after tomorrow, he will face trial back on Rhodes, in which he can be sentenced to 25 years of prison for “smuggling”.
The government in Athens – as part of its migration deterrence policy – has been practicing criminalization of those fleeing wars, conflicts, the genocide, as well as extreme poverty and lack of any future at home. Upon their arrival “to safety”, a few random persons from every boat reaching Greek shores are arrested – usually without any evidence, access to translation or legal counsel – and put in prison.
Months and years pass. When a trial finally takes place, people are often offered a plea bargain (a plea deal) – an arrangement between prosecutor and defendant, in which the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a more lenient sentence. Some of the criminalised in Greece accept it in fear that the “evidence” produced against them will condemn to the maximum punishment – 25 years of prison. Ziad has decided not to go down this way and face his destiny instead.
“From the moment I arrived in Europe, instead of finding justice, I was subjected to the greatest injustice. I was accused of a crime I did not commit and imprisoned. Every day in prison feels like a year, and I live in constant fear and anxiety for my family, whom I left behind under bombardment and suffering in Gaza.” – writes Ziad.
Ziad’s story is heart-breaking from its start. Back in Gaza, his eldest daughter fell sick and needed medical treatment not available there. Ziad was fighting to get her out of Gaza, but the Israeli regime did not allow it. She passed away in pain. He buried her and decided to leave to secure a better future for his remaining two daughters and his wife. He succeeded after months of trying – just days before the outbreak of the genocide.
“I visited Ziad in the prison in Athens. I have never met him before. He is a short, solid man in his 30s. He looks older than his age. A very gentle and calm person, a kind heart. He was smiling sadly in integrity and dignity as we exchanged about his upcoming trial” – says Eirini, an activist who has been supporting criminalised asylum seekers as part of Alma Community and ’50 out of many’ Initiative.
Greece’s law makes facilitating unauthorised entry a felony resulting in a ten-year prison sentence, with up to an additional 15 years for each person transported whose life was allegedly endangered. These measures “against” smuggling are in fact targeting those they claim to protect as great majority of the accused are people on the move.
Some of them steered or navigated a boat – for a short while or a whole journey – because they were coerced to it or simply to get themselves and others out of danger. In the absence of legal pathways of arriving and seeking asylum in the EU, driving a boat to Europe is an act of despair and an act of solidarity: no driver, no survivor.
“Ziad has been locked for 17 months. It is enough time to understand the reality. He is not in denial of the risk he will face on Wednesday” – continues Eirini. “Ziad is an asylum seeker from Gaza who wanted to find safety for his family. He should have never been criminalised”.
Ziad’s wife and two daughters remain in Gaza – they live in a tent in harsh winter conditions. Only a few days ago their tent collapsed on them.
To attend the trial or to support otherwise please contact: 50outofmany@gmail.com
Supporting groups:
- Alma Community in Athens
- Asylum4GazansNOW! Initiative
- de.criminalize
- ‘50 out of many’ Initiative
