Norwegian court rejects Greece's extradition request for activist Tommy Olsen
The Hålogaland Court of Appeal refused Greece's extradition request for Norwegian activist Tommy Olsen on 15 May 2026.
Tommy Olsen and Panayote Dimitras are set to stand trial on 6 October 2026 before the Three-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies of Dodecanese in Rhodes, Greece. The Hålogaland Court of Appeal refused Greece’s request for Tommy Olsen’s surrender on 15 May 2026, confirming he remains at liberty in Norway while facing trial in absentia. Olsen will be represented by his Greek lawyer at the trial without being physically present. While the criminal proceedings against him in Greece and the European Arrest Warrant remain active, he is no longer at risk of extradition from Norway.
Charges stem from migrant rescue monitoring
The prosecution arises from emails sent in 2021 by Olsen and Dimitras informing Greek authorities of asylum seekers’ arrivals, an act they describe as legitimate human rights work. The case stems from emails sent to Greek authorities in 2021 informing them of the arrival on Greek territory of third-country nationals seeking asylum. This activity was described as an integral and legitimate part of their work to defend migrants’ rights. The arrival was documented by Dimitras and Olsen via non-governmental monitoring organisations. The charges centre around the arrival of two Cameroonian asylum seekers on the island of Kos in July 2021.
Legal basis and potential penalties
Dimitras and Olsen face charges including participation in a criminal organisation and facilitating illegal entry and residence, with a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment if convicted. The Greek authorities accuse Dimitras and Olsen, alongside two Cameroonian asylum seekers, of 'forming or joining a criminal organisation'.
| Charge | Legal Basis |
|---|---|
| Participation in a criminal organisation | Article 187(1)-(2) of the Greek Penal Code |
| Facilitating illegal entry of eight migrants on 13 July 2021 | Articles 29 and 30 of Law 4251/2014 (now Articles 24 and 25 of Law 5038/2023) |
| Facilitating illegal residence | Same provisions as above |
| Joint commission and criminal intent | Articles 26, 27, 45 and related provisions of the Greek Penal Code |
If convicted, Dimitras and Olsen face up to 20 years in prison.
Context of systemic pushbacks and reprisals
The case unfolds amid documented systematic pushbacks by Greek authorities, previous acquittals of humanitarian workers, and warnings of a chilling effect on civil society. In January 2025, the European Court of Human Rights found Greece guilty of 'systematic pushbacks' of people trying to claim asylum. These violations were denounced in 2020 by the UN Committee Against Torture. The Greek state has consistently failed to submit information concerning alleged intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders as required by that committee.
Such intimidation creates a broader chilling effect. This discourages individuals and organisations from engaging in legitimate human rights monitoring, humanitarian assistance, advocacy and scrutiny of State actions. In January 2026, 24 humanitarians were acquitted of 'bogus charges' by a court in Lesvos after a seven-year legal ordeal. Two of those activists, Séan Binder and Sara Mardini, spent over 100 days in pre-trial detention after being arrested in 2018. In Greece, this context has caused search and rescue organisations to shut down.
Current status and international response
While Olsen remains in Norway and Dimitras is subject to preventive measures in Athens, international bodies have denounced the prosecution as politically motivated and an abuse of anti-smuggling laws. Panayote Dimitras is currently located in Athens, Greece. Since 2023, Greek authorities have imposed pretrial measures on him, including a ban on leaving the country and an obligation to report to the police station in his place of residence every 15 days. He has paid €10,000 in bail.
Human Rights Watch described the prosecution as 'a politically-motivated attempt to silence [the defendants’] efforts to expose abuses against migrants'. Amnesty International said the charges are 'a gross misuse of anti-smuggling legislation and are not backed by evidence'. Mary Lawlor, former UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, said the criminal investigation 'strongly appears' to be arbitrary. The Observatory condemns the continued judicial harassment against Tommy Olsen and Panayote Dimitras, which is directly linked to their legitimate human rights activities.
The first-instance trial against Tommy Olsen and Panayote Dimitras will be held on 6 October 2026 before the Three-Member Court of Appeal for Felonies of Dodecanese in Rhodes, Greece.
