Good News: On May 15, a court in Norway rejected a request from Greece to extradite human rights defender Tommy Olsen, ending the immediate risk of extradition. The court confirmed that the actions for which Tommy Olsen is prosecuted in Greece are not punishable under Norwegian law and that the charges represent “a real risk of violation of his freedom of expression”. The decision will not be appealed. The case followed his arrest in Norway in March 2026 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Greece in relation to his work documenting pushbacks and other abuses at Europe’s borders.
On March 16, 2026, Tommy Olsen, a Norwegian human rights worker and founder of the NGO Aegean Boat Report, was arrested at his home in Tromsø and remanded in custody following a European arrest warrant issued by the Greek authorities and subsequently released. The warrant stems from a 2022 Greek investigation into his work with refugees and migrants. He was released on March 20, but remains at risk of extradition to Greece, where he could face pre-trial detention for up to 18 months on charges that are not backed by evidence and stem from Greece’s misuse of anti-smuggling legislation. Amnesty International calls on Norwegian authorities not to extradite him, to uphold international human rights law, and protect human rights work.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO TOOK ACTION.
Dear Minister Astri Aas‑Hansen,
I am writing to express deep concern about the arrest and proposed extradition to Greece of Tommy Olsen, a Norwegian human rights worker and founder of the NGO Aegean Boat Report. Tommy has spent years assisting refugees and migrants arriving in Greece, documenting cases of distress at sea, and reporting serious human rights violations against them, including illegal pushbacks at sea and land borders. His work is legitimate, humanitarian, and vital for holding authorities accountable.
On February 11, 2026, Tommy was informed by Norwegian authorities that a European arrest warrant had been issued against him following a 2022 investigation in Greece, on charges of membership of a criminal organization. These charges are not backed by evidence and are a misuse of anti-smuggling legislation. While he has been released pending his appeal hearing, Tommy remains at risk of extradition to Greece, where he could face pre-trial detention for up to 18 months.
I call on you to refrain from extraditing Tommy Olsen to Greece, ensuring that he is not sent to be prosecuted for his human rights work and for helping people in need. Upholding Norway’s international human rights obligations in this case is critical to protecting civil society’s freedoms and opposing attempts to undermine those speaking out against human rights violations.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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