Today in Focus The NGO worker on trial for people-smuggling in Lesbos
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Nov 28, 2025 Sean Binder, a former volunteer who faced trial in Greece for aiding refugees, shares his harrowing experience of rescue operations on Lesbos. Katy Fallon, a migration reporter, provides insights into the shifting local climate and the criminalization of NGOs. They discuss the serious charges against Sean, including smuggling allegations, and the alarming trend of political narratives turning volunteers into targets. Together, they illuminate the risks posed to humanitarian aid in Europe and the broader implications of a potential guilty verdict.
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Night Shift Turned Arrest
- Sean describes a typical night: spotting from the shoreline with binoculars and tea until the police arrived at 3am.
- That routine moment escalated into multiple arrests and the start of a seven-year legal ordeal for him and colleagues.
Dancing In The Rain After Rescue
- Sean recalls a winter night when four boats arrived in 30 minutes and volunteers split into teams to triage and shelter children.
- He remembers the relief of saving everyone that night and celebrating together despite the trauma.
Sudden Court Transfer
- Sean recounts being handcuffed during a police interview and immediately taken to court and prison.
- He expected cooperation with authorities but was instead held in pre-trial detention and split from colleagues in jail.