It has come to that: The witnesses are being prosecuted for the crime of having... witnessed the crime!
This is a warning to every European. BEWARE: As a European citizen you may be prosecuted by a EU member-state for merely documenting suspect - often criminal - acts by the authorities of an EU member-state.
The case of Tommy Olsen, and his current prosecution in Rhodes, Greece, should make us all ask again the most pertinent of questions: Who will protect us from our (supposed) protectors?
WHO IS TOMMY OLSEN?
Tommy Olsen is the Norwegian founder of Aegean Boat Report, an independent organisation established to monitor and document what happens to people crossing the Aegean Sea and arriving on the Greek islands. ABR documents arrivals, distress situations, disappearances, pushbacks and human-rights violations and provides information and
documentation to journalists, lawyers and human-rights organisations.
Olsen has been doing this important work since 2017. The criminal case concerns activities Greek authorities link to his work with refugees and people seeking asylum.
TOMMY'S PROSECUTION
The Greek authorities previously sought his surrender under a European Arrest Warrant. Olsen was arrested at his home in Tromso on 16 March 2026.
On 15 May, the Halogaland Court of Appeal refused to
surrender him.
THE NORWEGIAN DECISION
On 16 March 2026, Olsen was arrested in Norway under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Greece. Greece soughthis surrender for prosecution. On 15 May 2026, the Halogaland Court of Appeal refused surrender.
Amnesty International reported that the court confirmed that the actions for which Olsen is prosecuted in Greece are not punishable under Norwegian law and that the charges represent a "real risk of violation of his freedom of expression".
Human Rights Watch reported that the appeals court unanimously recognised that the acts described by
Greek authorities did not constitute criminal offences under Norwegian law and that surrender would risk violating
THE GREEK AUTHORITIES' CHARGES
Greek counsel has confirmed the following public wording of the charges:
1. Establishing and participating in a criminal organisation.
2. Facilitating the unlawful entry into Greek territory of third-country nationals without the legally required
border checks, jointly, in respect of multiple persons, for profit and on a professional basis.
3. Facilitating the unlawful stay of third-country nationals in Greek territory, in respect of multiple persons and for profit.
Olsen denies the charges.
LET'S END THIS TRAVESTY. PROSECUTE CRIMES. NOT THOSE WHO WITNESS THEM.