#Greece is doubling down on its assault on civic space. From criminalizing humanitarian workers to threatening journalists and lawyers, the rule of law is under fire.

@ec.europa.eu should act now to protect democratic checks and balances.

Read my @hrw.org dispatch here www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...

VICTORY: All 24 aid workers in Lesbos have been ACQUITTED of all felony charges! ⚖️

While this is a vindication for the defendants, it is also bittersweet. This 7-year ordeal has shut down life-saving work while people continue to drown.

Our full reaction for @hrw.org 👇

Update from Lesbos: The trial is currently paused. ⚖️

The hearing is set to resume at 3:30 PM local time, when the prosecutor will issue his recommendation on the felony charges.

My colleague Bill Van Esveld is on-site monitoring the situation.

#FreeHumanitarians

🚨 Update from Greece: The trial of 24 humanitarians resumes today on Lesbos, #Greece ⚖️

The @europarl.europa.eu has branded this the “largest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe.”

My colleague @billvanesveld.bsky.social is there to monitor for @hrw.org

Saving lives is not a crime

The European Parliament has condemned this as "the largest case of criminalization of solidarity in Europe." It is an attack on humanitarian work everywhere and should be fought vigorously.

www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etud...

Further hindering the Tempi investigation: Train carriages were removed before thorough examination, and security footage from the cargo loading station has vanished.
Prosecutors are investigating the missing footage, two years after the crash.

Investigations reveal authorities removed crash debris, including victims' remains, within hours of the Tempi crash. An independent report confirms the loss of evidentiary material. Concerns rise about evidence tampering and obstruction of justice.

The government's insistence on 'human error' alone, rejecting claims of corruption & systemic rail safety failures, has fuelled public outrage. Polls show over 80% doubt government transparency & justice.

57 people, mostly young adults, died in the Tempi collision & explosion, sparking concerns about the cargo train transporting illegal flammable substances. The massive public protests, potentially historic, show the extent of anger over the handling of the tragedy by the government and the judiciary

Two years after the fatal Tempi train crash, Greece's parliament is investigating a potential cover-up. This is a crucial chance to deliver accountability, address rule of law failings, and restore public trust to democratic institutions

More from @hrw.org:

www.hrw.org/news/2025/03...

As the second anniversary nears, and with more protests planned, the fight for justice continues. Will the authorities finally deliver the accountability and transparency the Greek people demand?

Public distrust is not baseless. Greece faces serious rule of law challenges. The European Parliament has expressed "grave concerns" about threats to democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights, specifically referencing the Tempi crash.

The victims' families' relentless pursuit of justice underscores the importance of the rule of law. The handling of this tragedy has severely eroded public trust in key institutions. Recent polls show over 80% of Greeks doubt the government's commitment to uncovering the truth.

The explosion, which caused many deaths, raises serious concerns about illegal flammable substances on the cargo train. The public feels a lack of transparency, fueling distrust.

The questions are stark: What caused the crash? Why did safety systems fail? What caused the massive explosion? Who is responsible? Why, after two years, is there no trial? One of the victims' final words, "I have no oxygen," echo across the nation.

Nearly two years ago, on Feb. 28, 2023, 57 people, mostly young, died in the Tempi train crash. The mass protests we're seeing now show the deep public outrage over the authorities' inadequate response.