TROMSØ, Norway - A Norwegian nursery teacher, Tommy Olsen (51), is facing extradition to Greece on charges of aiding undocumented migrants and refugees. Olsen, a resident of Tromsø, has been a vocal advocate for refugees, volunteering on the Greek island of Lesbos since the 2015 migration crisis.
Greek Authorities Allege Criminal Activity
Greek prosecutors on the island of Kos issued an arrest warrant for Olsen, accusing him of being part of a criminal organization that helped undocumented refugees cross from Turkey. Olsen maintains his innocence, insisting his actions were purely humanitarian. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
The Kos prosecutor accuses Olsen of being part of a criminal organisation that helped undocumented refugees, and migrants crossing from Turkey to Greece and gave them places to stay.
If convicted, he could face at least 20 years in jail, and this is only one of five investigations targeting Olsen. There is a second on Kos and three more on the nearby island of Lesbos.
Olsen's involvement with refugees began in 2015 when he volunteered to assist with the overwhelming influx of refugees arriving on Lesbos. Volunteers often provided essential services, filling gaps left by overwhelmed Greek authorities. Recognizing the need for better communication and coordination, Olsen established a daily information bulletin that connected volunteers, doctors, lawyers, and coast guard personnel across the Aegean islands.
Transparency and Information Sharing
Olsen's initial internal bulletin evolved into the publicly accessible Aegean Boat Report. This comprehensive resource tracked refugee arrivals and flows across the Aegean islands. While maintaining confidentiality regarding official sources, Olsen ensured critical information reached the appropriate authorities.
To keep it running, Olsen travelled to Greece four or five times a year, staying up to six weeks at a time. He used up his holidays and then took vacation without pay. In the interim, his network kept feeding him the news in Tromso.
Olsen now faces potential extradition. He maintains his innocence and awaits a decision from Norwegian authorities. This case raises concerns about the treatment of humanitarian aid workers assisting refugees in Greece.
