On 14 June 2023, it is estimated that over 600 people drowned in one of the deadliest shipwrecks in recent history, when the fishing boat ‘Adriana’ carrying approximately 700 migrants attempting to reach Europe from Libya capsized about 80 km from the Greek port city of Pylos. Only 104 men survived the shipwreck and all women and children on board – many of whom were trapped inside the lower decks of the ship – lost their lives.
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Greek authorities rushed to blame a handful of survivors of the shipwreck themselves, specifically nine men of Egyptian nationality. Evidence from survivors and civil society, however, implicate the Greek Coast Guard authorities and Frontex, who were aware of and monitored the distress situation of the Adriana ship for almost an entire day but did not carry out a rescue operation. Furthermore, testimonies from survivors indicate that the ship capsized after being towed by a Greek coastguard vessel. In line with our work fighting unfair and systematic criminalisation of migrants in Greece, LCL lawyers, Vicky Aggelidou and Natasha Dailiani – in collaboration with other lawyers – took on the legal representation of two of the nine defendants, charged with (a) membership in a criminal organisation, (b) transporting as boat drivers, citizens of third countries from abroad to Greece, who do not have the right to enter Greek territory, with danger for human life, causing deaths (c) intentionally causing a shipwreck with danger to for human life and with fatal result and (d) unauthorised entry to Greek territory. Below you will find further information on the prosecution of the Pylos 9 and LCL’s work to defend their rights.