--- title: "Greek Authorities Accuse Norwegian Citizen of Running International Criminal Organisation" url: https://noti.group/greek-authorities-accuse-norwegian-citizen-of-running-international/ language: en publisher: "Noti Group" section: "World News" published: 2026-10-06T09:25:14.000Z updated: 2026-10-06T10:43:36.125Z id: 17556e35-fce2-4773-9701-4b7916aa5fdf source: "Al Jazeera https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/6/hitting-the-right-nail-refugee-rescue-group-defiant-as-greece-targets-it?traffic_source=rss" attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/greek-authorities-accuse-norwegian-citizen-of-running-international/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Greek Authorities Accuse Norwegian Citizen of Running International Criminal Organisation A court on the island of Kos will soon decide whether Tommy Olsen is guilty or innocent of running an international criminal organisation that secretly controls asylum seeker rescue operations in the Aegean Sea. Greek authorities have accused a Norwegian citizen of running an international criminal organisation that secretly controls asylum seeker rescue operations in the Aegean Sea. Tommy Olsen, from Tromso, is the founder of Aegean Boat Report, which monitors distress signals and alerts search and rescue services to potential emergencies. To thousands of refugees in need of help, Olsen's efforts have been crucial in saving lives by alerting authorities to their location. But Greek prosecutors see him as a culprit who facilitates human smuggling and conceals asylum seekers from law enforcement. A court on the island of Kos will soon decide whether Olsen is guilty or innocent, with proceedings set to begin on Tuesday. The case against Olsen has sparked concerns among human rights organisations, who view it as an attempt by Greece to silence independent monitors of abuses. Greece's record on human rights is marred by previous convictions at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), where decisions have condemned the country for pushbacks, a practice that involves turning around potential asylum seekers without providing them with an opportunity to seek protection. The ECHR has explicitly requested verification of testimonies in certain cases, and those decisions have led to Greece being found guilty of violating human rights. The Greek National Committee for Human Rights, the country's top independent authority on human rights, has been involved in these efforts. As part of its work, Aegean Boat Report provides verified evidence that is used in ECHR cases. This includes witness statements from NGOs who have documented pushbacks firsthand, and these statements are often recorded and presented as evidence to support their claims. The head of the Greek National Committee for Human Rights has stated that the requests made by the ECHR were not based on hearsay but rather on signed witness statements that could be used in court. Evidence gathered by Aegean Boat Report has brought to light numerous instances of misconduct by the Hellenic Coastguard, with at least two dozen cases documented. The Council of Europe, which oversees human rights in Europe, has expressed concerns that measures taken by Greece to address these issues are insufficient. The retraining of law enforcement officers and other steps do not appear to be enough to tackle the widespread practice of "pushbacks" identified by the European Court of Human Rights. Greek authorities face a serious consequence if they fail to provide adequate access to international protection procedures: suspension of European Union funding. This is why Aegean Boat Report's efforts are seen as a threat to their interests, according to Olsen's lawyer. The Greek government has long sought to discredit aid groups by accusing them of facilitating human trafficking and espionage. In the past eight years, two organizations have been shut down after their members were arrested on these charges. The Greek government's efforts to restrict aid groups in the country continue to affect several organizations. In a separate case, Mare Liberum, a German search and rescue group, had its smuggling charges dropped due to lack of evidence this year. Despite the lack of convictions, suspicion persists among Greek officials regarding the activities of these groups. The government has taken steps to curb their operations by passing legislation that cuts off public funding if any member is accused of a felony. This law targets aid organizations that receive funding from the government and EU. According to Minister of Migration Thanos Plevris, such groups cannot justify using volunteers when they are receiving money from these sources. Plevris argued in parliament that paid staff should be used instead of volunteers, citing concerns about exploitation by aid workers. He also expressed worries about the potential for people-smuggling operations within camps. The financial strain of running Aegean Boat Report is taking its toll on Olsen, who has had to sell his car just two weeks ago. He estimates that the annual bills for lawyers alone would be equivalent to 10 years' worth of the organization's operating budget, a staggering cost that he cannot possibly cover with his current resources. The invoices for 19,000 euros, which he is struggling to pay, are a constant reminder of the financial burden he has taken on. Olsen's decision to devote himself full-time to helping refugees has come at a personal cost as well. As a former kindergarten teacher, he left behind a stable job and a family that has had to sacrifice too much for his cause. His children have grown up without him being there for them, and Olsen feels guilty about putting them through this. He has not taken a holiday with his family in years, instead choosing to focus on the work of Aegean Boat Report. This selfless dedication is driven by Olsen's conviction that he is doing something important, even if it means making sacrifices along the way. Despite the challenges and setbacks, Olsen remains resolute in his commitment to bearing witness to the plight of asylum seekers. He believes that the efforts of the Greek authorities to silence him only serve to reinforce his determination to continue his work. In 1923, a significant population exchange took place between Greece and Turkiye, facilitated by Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen. This effort is believed to have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. Olsen believes his own work is part of a larger tradition, one that prioritizes the rule of law and human rights for all people, not just those seeking refuge in Greek islands. --- Source: [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/10/6/hitting-the-right-nail-refugee-rescue-group-defiant-as-greece-targets-it?traffic_source=rss) Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/greek-authorities-accuse-norwegian-citizen-of-running-international/