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Humanitarian Aid on Trial in Greece

  File photo: Migrants from Afghanistan is towed by rescuers of the Refugee Rescue NGO, on the island of Lesbos, Greece. Twenty-four humanitarian aid workers have gone on trial in Greece, facing felony charges of migrant smuggling, money laundering, and membership in a criminal organization . The case, unfolding on the island of Lesbos, targets former volunteers of the now-defunct NGO Emergency Response Centre International (ERCI) , which operated search-and-rescue missions between 2016 and 2018. Among the defendants are Sarah Mardini , a Syrian refugee and professional swimmer whose story inspired the Netflix film The Swimmers , and Seán Binder , a German-Irish rescue diver. Both were arrested in 2018 for their involvement in helping migrants and refugees arriving by sea from Turkey. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison . Greek prosecutors allege that the group facilitated illegal entry into the country by monitoring coastguard communications and relaying ...
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Trump Trial Turmoil: Jury Disruptions Threaten Court Proceedings

 


The criminal trial of former President Donald Trump in New York City has encountered significant disruptions, casting a shadow over the judicial process. Two jurors have been excused from duty after their personal details were inadvertently disclosed, leading to concerns for their safety and impartiality.

  • Juror Concerns: A nurse, known as “juror number two,” expressed fear for her public identification after friends and colleagues recognized her from news reports. Her apprehension about being fair and unbiased led to her dismissal from the trial.
  • Anonymity Compromised: The trial, which features an anonymous jury to protect against political tensions, has been compromised by detailed media reports. This has resulted in the identification of jurors, including a Puerto Rican IT consultant, “juror number four,” who also expressed annoyance.
  • Judge’s Directive: Justice Juan Merchan has urged journalists to exercise restraint and common sense in their reporting, specifically avoiding physical descriptions and employment details that could lead to juror identification.
  • Intimidation Tactics: The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has highlighted Trump’s continued public comments about the trial, which may violate a gag order. This includes attacks on ex-lawyer-turned-witness Michael Cohen and comments on the jury’s composition.

The trial’s integrity is at stake as the court grapples with ensuring juror safety and maintaining the sanctity of the legal process amidst heightened political scrutiny and media attention.

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