Norwegian Appeals Court Rejects Greek Extradition Request for Activist

A Norwegian appeals court in Tromsø has rejected Greece's request to extradite an activist accused of facilitating the illegal entry of people into Greece. The Hålogaland appeals court unanimously ruled that the activist's actions, which included monitoring and reporting people in distress at sea, were not criminal offenses under Norwegian law.

The court also cited the risk to the activist's freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The activist was arrested at a home in Tromsø on 16 March following a European arrest warrant issued by Greece. A district court initially upheld the extradition request before the activist appealed. Prosecution authorities in Norway stated on Tuesday that they would not appeal the judgment.

Greek authorities have denied the practice of pushbacks despite reports from human rights groups. The extradition request claimed the activist was running a criminal organization to smuggle people into Greece. Rights groups including Amnesty International had urged Norway not to extradite the activist, arguing the arrest stemmed from misuse of anti-smuggling laws.

A law passed in Greece in February allows authorities to remove NGOs from an official register and imposes prison terms of at least 10 years for certain violations. "It’s a unique decision. Blocking an extradition request on the continent of Europe is unheard of, which is why this is also such a victory for human rights," said Zacharias Kesses, the activist's lawyer in Athens.