Crete: 288 Years of Imprisonment and €4 Million Fine for Two Egyptian Migrant Smugglers

The two Egyptians were arrested in January for smuggling 40 migrants, including five minors, in a boat south of Gavdos.

A sentence of 288 years of imprisonment (with 20 years to be served) and a financial penalty exceeding €4 million was imposed on two young Egyptians convicted of smuggling 40 migrants with a boat south of Gavdos.

Specifically, for the 40 migrants, a 15-year prison sentence was imposed, plus 7 years for each of the 39 smuggled individuals. Correspondingly, regarding the financial penalty, €200,000 was imposed, plus €100,000 for each of the 39 migrants.

The decision was issued by the Single-Member Court of Appeals for Felonies of Eastern Crete against the two Egyptians, aged 31 and 26, who were arrested as smugglers in January. Among the passengers were five minors.

A major rescue operation was organized for the migrants, and with the assistance of the Coast Guard, they were safely brought ashore in the area of Kaloi Limenes. The Central Port Authority conducted the preliminary investigation of the case.