Dutch Journalist Awaits Trial in Greece for Helping Asylum Seeker

Asylum seekers wait with their belongings as refugees and migrants from the destroyed Moria camp wait to enter a new camp on Lesbos island, 17 September 2020. Photo by EPA-EFE/VANGELIS PAPANTONIS

Beugel, a freelance correspondent who has lived in Greece for 41 years, is accused of facilitating the illegal stay of an asylum seeker in her home on Hydra island. If convicted, she could face up to a year in prison and a fine of 5,000 euros. 

Greek police arrested Beugel and the asylum seeker last summer. Both were released pending trial. Even though Greek authorities had been aware of the living situation of the migrant, they accused Beugel of violating article 29 of law 4251/2014. 

The Afghan's asylum application was rejected, and with legal proceedings against the rejection, pending at the time, he remained at the journalist's house for two years.

Police arrested him for illegal residence and Beugel for hosting him. He has since been granted asylum, Beugel's lawyer, Vasilis Papadopoulos, told BIRN. 

Greek law was tightened in 1991 to restrict the arrival of Albanian immigrants. In 1993, a court ruled the changes unconstitutional. They can be implemented, however, when someone facilitates the illegal residence of a foreigner to avoid control by the Greek authorities.

"Hospitality itself cannot be criminalized," Papadopoulos insisted.

European Commission guidance on implementation of EU rules on unauthorized entry, transit, and residence has called on Member States to apply exemption clauses for humanitarian reasons, mainly concerning the rescue of people at sea.

Beugel told BIRN the accusation was unjust: "The crimes committed by [EU] states and [EU border force] Frontex are glorified, while people like me, who help...