The trial of the activist who inspired a Netflix movie has begun. Sarah Mardini faces up to 25 years in prison in Greece

Sarah Mardini, the activist who inspired a hit Netflix movie, has been put on trial in Greece in a case involving 23 others, including charges of migrant smuggling. The trial began on Thursday, according to AFP.

The film “The Swimmers” (2022) was inspired by the moments experienced by Sarah Mardini and her sister, Yushra, one of the 10 athletes who competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics in the Refugee Team.

The two Syrians, former competitive swimmers, became world-famous in 2015 when they rescued 18 refugees from a broken-down boat crossing the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece, according to the UN refugee agency.

Later, Sarah settled in Berlin.

Sarah Mardini spent three months in prison in 2018

In 2018, she was part of the group of volunteer activists from the non-governmental organization ERCI trying to help migrants reach the Greek island of Lesbos from Turkey. At that time she was arrested and spent three months in a prison in Greece.

For those actions, Sarah Mardini now faces charges of “participation in a criminal organization” and “illegal facilitation of the entry into Greece of foreign nationals from third countries.”

Activists face up to 25 years in prison.

In 2023, they were acquitted in another case, on charges related to their humanitarian work, including “espionage”.

The ERCI group has ceased operations, but Human Rights Watch issued a statement criticizing the judicial authorities for “harassing” the rescuers.

“This case is a striking example of a worrying trend in Europe to penalize solidarity with migrants,” the organization said.

The process is expected to take several days.