Kerry charity worker charged with human trafficking in Greece vows to continue humanitarian work

An Irish charity worker who was released on bail from a Greek prison yesterday has told of his determination to continue his work to highlight the plight of illegal migrants.

Kerry charity worker charged with human trafficking in Greece vows to continue humanitarian work

An Irish charity worker who was released on bail from a Greek prison yesterday has told of his determination to continue his work to highlight the plight of illegal migrants.

Sean Binder (24), who was born in Germany, has lived in Ireland since he was five years old when the family moved to Castlegregory, Co. Kerry.

The Trinity College graduate had been charged with human trafficking when he was on the Greek island of Lesbos to assist refugees in a humanitarian basis as part of his work with Emergency Response Centre International.

He met with police in a voluntary capacity in August after being informed that he was a person of interest in relation to the charity’s alleged activities.

He and three other NGO volunteers have spent the last three months in a Greek jail after they were accused of helping illegal migrants enter the country. All four have been released on bail.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast Mr Binder said he could not comment on his arrest or the case as he is on bail pending the trial. He said that the issue was “nothing to do with me as such. It is part of a wider policy.

“I’m not the first and I won’t be the last to have their humanitarian work put under suspicion.”

He said he would not be deterred, from his work.

“To the contrary. I believe more than ever that there is something I can do to promote the fact that people shouldn’t be drowning or freezing.”

He said that there appeared to be some legal uncertainty and tensions between institutions that had the same goal which was “not to let people drown in the sea.”

A date has not yet been set for his trial and he remains in Greece. Mr Binder expressed his thanks for the “amazing” support” he has received.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Berlin UKB Hospital Is Among Germany's Most Modern Nearly 10,000 people left waiting on trolleys across country in March
Spring weather Mar 28th 2024 Here's what to expect from weather and travel this Easter weekend
Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited