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 11 February 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.

The escalation in his case sends a concerning signal about the treatment of individuals carrying out essential

human rights and humanitarian activities. It occurs as Greece intensifies its crackdown on civil society by

explicitly targeting NGOs.

NGOs and humanitarian workers should be protected, not prosecuted through the misuse of smuggling laws.

Norway should not be complicit in this. 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,