July 10, 2026
By HIAS Staff
Nearly six years after the devastating fire that consumed Europe’s largest refugee camp, Moria, on the Greek island of Lesvos, a significant legal victory has been secured for three young Afghan refugees. These individuals, who were wrongfully imprisoned and convicted as adults for years as minors following the inferno, have been exonerated, released, and awarded substantial compensation for the profound injustice they endured. The resolution marks a crucial step in rectifying a grave miscarriage of justice and highlights ongoing systemic challenges in the European asylum and justice systems.
The Moria Reception and Identification Center, a facility that once housed over 12,000 individuals, was widely condemned for its dire living conditions. Described by many, including Vasia Katsiki, a Staff Attorney at HIAS Greece, as a "living hell," the camp suffered from inadequate sanitation and persistent safety risks. These conditions were so severe that Greece was ultimately convicted by the European Court of Human Rights for its failure to provide humane living standards. The fire, which broke out in September 2020, left thousands of asylum seekers displaced and vulnerable, exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation.
In the chaotic aftermath of the Moria fire, six unaccompanied minors from Afghanistan, who were awaiting decisions on their asylum claims, were arrested. Despite their youth – two of the boys were 17 years old and one was just 15 at the time of their arrest – they were falsely accused of arson and wrongfully imprisoned and convicted as adults. This marked the beginning of a harrowing ordeal that saw them spend three and a half years in adult detention facilities, a period of profound uncertainty and suffering, all while maintaining their innocence.
"I spent five years in uncertainty in Greece, and three and a half of those years were spent in prison," shared Ali, one of the Afghan refugees who bore the brunt of this injustice. "Because of this, my whole life was disrupted, and I lost five years of my life." The impact of this prolonged detention, coupled with the stigma of a criminal conviction, has had a lasting and deeply detrimental effect on their lives.
Despite their consistent claims of innocence and verifiable proof of their minor status at the time of the alleged crime, the Greek authorities proceeded with trying these young men as adults. They were handed down ten-year prison sentences for arson, a charge that has now been unequivocally disproven. This approach by the justice system raised serious concerns about due process and the protection of vulnerable individuals within the asylum process.
A turning point in their long struggle for justice came in March 2024, when a Greek court granted their appeal. This crucial ruling recognized that the refugees were indeed minors at the time of their arrest, leading to their release from adult prison facilities while their case was transferred to the juvenile court system. This was a significant step, acknowledging the fundamental error in their initial prosecution.
The legal battle continued, culminating in April 2025 when the juvenile court definitively dismissed the criminal charges. The ruling declared that the young men had not committed the alleged crime, finally clearing their names after years of wrongful accusation and detention.
Vasia Katsiki of HIAS Greece expressed the profound disappointment with the initial handling of the case: "The domestic criminal justice system has significantly failed in its duty to properly administer justice, leaving three innocent minors to bear the catastrophic stigma of guilt for five years and violating many fundamental principles of our penal system. For half a decade, the system treated these youth as convicted criminals before ultimately clearing their names." This statement underscores the systemic failings that allowed such a grave injustice to persist for so long.
Following their exoneration, three of the refugees sought further legal recourse and damages through HIAS Greece, aiming to address the severe harm caused by the miscarriage of justice. HIAS Greece meticulously built a case for compensation, focusing on the immense material losses and moral damages these young men had suffered. The legal team highlighted the devastating psychosocial consequences of their prolonged ordeal, including a shattered sense of self-identity, irreparable damage to their reputations, the development of post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic anxiety and depression, persistent sleep disturbances, social isolation, strained relationships, financial instability, and profound difficulties in readjusting to life after custody.
"We focused on the harm that they endured as a result of this prolonged judicial ordeal, including serious negative psychosocial consequences to their personalities and to their lives," Vasia explained. The depth of their suffering, characterized by trauma, fear, and the constant burden of an unjust accusation, was central to the compensation claim.
The legal pursuit for justice continued, and in March 2026, the Greek court delivered a verdict that brought a measure of closure to Ali and Hassan, another of the young men who had been falsely accused. The court ruled in favor of HIAS Greece and their clients, awarding compensation that, while unable to fully erase the past, acknowledged the severity of the injustice.
Hassan, reflecting on the outcome, shared his immense relief: "After the result, I was so happy that I cannot even describe it – like a bird finally set free from its cage. I am truly grateful to HIAS. When no one was helping us, your organization supported us. You stood by us during a very difficult time. I will never forget your kindness." His words resonate with the vital role that organizations like HIAS play in advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees.
The court awarded 44,555 euros to the two young men who were 17 at the time of their arrest, and 50,090 euros to the 15-year-old. These figures represent substantial compensation, close to the maximum allowable damages, reflecting the court’s recognition of the profound harm inflicted upon them.
Despite the financial award, Ali poignantly noted, "The court process was good, but the compensation cannot bring my life back or make up for everything I lost." This sentiment highlights the irreplaceability of lost time, youth, and the emotional and psychological scars left by years of wrongful imprisonment.
All three young men are now embarking on the challenging but hopeful journey of rebuilding their lives. Hassan is pursuing a career as a mechanic, aspiring to use his experiences to assist others in need. Ali is focused on establishing a peaceful life, recently becoming engaged and looking forward to starting a family. During their long ordeal, all three men were granted refugee status, providing them with the legal framework to finally begin anew in Europe.
Ali expressed his deep gratitude and his desire to give back: "I want to sincerely thank every single person who helped me during these difficult times. I am deeply grateful to HIAS, to everyone who supported me, and especially to the lawyer who stood by me and helped me. In the future, I would be happy if I could also help people who are in need and show others that, by supporting one another, we can overcome difficulties together and make things better." His aspiration to help others underscores the resilience and compassion that can emerge even after profound adversity.
The case of these three Afghan refugees serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by asylum seekers in Europe and the critical need for robust legal protections and compassionate asylum processes. It also highlights the essential work of organizations like HIAS in providing legal aid, advocacy, and unwavering support to those who have been displaced and wronged. The successful exoneration and compensation represent a hard-won victory for justice, offering a glimmer of hope for a more equitable future for refugees navigating complex and often perilous legal landscapes. The long-term implications of this case may encourage greater scrutiny of juvenile justice practices within asylum contexts and a renewed commitment to ensuring that vulnerable individuals are not subjected to prolonged detention and wrongful convictions.
