Overview
- The court cleared Pieter Wittenberg and 23 co-defendants of allegations tied to assisting migrant arrivals on Lesbos.
- Judges found no criminal organization and no evidence of money laundering, and lifted seizures with property to be returned.
- The case, described as Europe’s largest trial of aid workers, followed ERCI’s coastal first-aid work between 2016 and 2018.
- Defendants and supporters said the years-long prosecution deterred beachside assistance and coincided with reported pushbacks and drownings.
- Defense lawyer Maria Spiliotakara said the decision may guide future cases but warned that stricter legislation could re-criminalize similar aid as the written judgment is still pending.