Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday urged Authorities call on Norway to release human rights defenders Tommy Olsen and block his extradition to Greece. The human rights organization warned that extradition of Tommy Olsen could expose him to serious violations and undermine Norway’s commitments to protect activists.
On March 16, Olsen was arrested at his home in Tromsø, Norway, on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Greece, where he is accused of smuggling. He, along with Greek human rights defender Panayote Dimitras of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, are accused of smuggling and other crimes related to their migrant rights work. Olsen is charged in Greece for espionage, people smuggling and participation in criminal organizations. If convicted, Olsen faces up to 15 to 20 years in prison under Greek law.
Eva Cossé, senior researcher for Europe and Central Asia at Human Rights Watch specified that “The arrest of Tommy Olsen is the result of the Greek authorities’ misuse of the European Arrest Warrant to extend their crackdown on migrant rights defenders to Norway. The Norwegian authorities should refuse to take part in the attacks on human rights defenders, release Olsen immediately and refuse to extradite him on human rights grounds.”
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defender Mary Lawlor has also done so expressed concern about Olsen’s imprisonment and possible extradition to Greece.
Tommy Olsen is a Norwegian human rights defender and humanitarian activist, best known as the founder of Aegean boat reportan NGO that documents the treatment of migrants and refugees arriving in Greece. Olsen, originally a kindergarten teacher from Tromsø, Norway, became heavily involved in humanitarian work during the European refugee crisis, volunteering on Greek islands to help asylum seekers. His organization has focused on exposing alleged rejections and abuses by Greek authorities, which has drawn international attention and government scrutiny.
