Update after the first day of the trial against the four juveniles of Moria 6 ++ Verdict expected for tomorrow ++ Trial observers criticize irregularities +++ Invitation to another press conference
Today, Friday, 11.06.2021, the first part of the trial against four juvenile refugees of the so-called Moria 6 took place. The trial took place on the island of Chios and was accompanied by international attention and solidarity – both online and present in front of the courthouse. A verdict has not yet been pronounced, but is expected for tomorrow morning.
International observers criticized the proceedings and stressed that the trial was riddled with irregularities and that central standards of the rule of law, such as the basic principle of the presumption of innocence, were violated. For example, as was the case with the trial of the two minors in March 2021 on Lesvos, the public, i.e. journalists and human rights observers, were excluded from the trial.
According to their statements, there was also a complete imbalance in the witness situation, with at least 15 prosecution witnesses and only three exoneration witnesses being heard. The key witness, on whose incriminating testimony the entire trial was based, was not present, but his written testimony was accepted by the court.
Trial observer and migration researcher Valeria Hänsel expressed her outrage at today’s trial:
“The trial was riddled with irregularities. The human rights observers were not allowed into the court building, nor were journalists. The requests of the lawyers, for example to recognize the youths as minors, were rejected. But no witness was present to identify those present. So we hope for the rule of law and an acquittal tomorrow morning.”
An online press conference had taken place in Germany that afternoon – while the trial was still underway. Speakers at the conference were, on the one hand, migration researcher and press spokesperson for the #FreeTheMoria6 solidarity campaign, Valeria Hänsel, and on the other hand, activist and member of the campaign Oda Becker. In addition to reporting the process, the witness situation and the public reactions, today’s events were embedded in the political context and European migration policy.
There will also be another online press conference in Greece soon – in Greek, but with the possibility to ask questions in English. If you are interested in participating or have further questions regarding the process and are a journalist or press representative, please contact us at: freethemoria6@riseup.net.
Here you will find a link where you can download the recorded press conference (in German). In addition, there is a press review, you can find our press release on the start of the trial here.
