Synopsis :
142 Years - A documentary by Stelios Kouloglou

The Left Vice-Chair and SYRIZA MEP Kostas Arvanitis invites you to the first Brussels screening of the movie 142 years, by Stelios Kouloglou.- OV Greek ST English

The documentary highlights a little-known aspect of the migration crisis: the thousands of refugees and migrants who are sentenced to long prison terms as smugglers.

The camera follows rescuer Iasonas Apostolopoulos, widely known and internationally awarded for his humanitarian work, as he takes part in an international effort to secure the acquittal of three refugees: Mohammad Hanan Abdi (Somalia), Akif Razouli and Amir Zahiri (Afghanistan).

All three were convicted as smugglers after being forced by the real traffickers to take the helm of a boat while travelling from Turkey to Greece — a practice that is well known and routinely acknowledged by the Greek Coast Guard. Under Law 4251/2014, anyone found steering the vessel can be prosecuted and convicted as a smuggler. In many cases, however, as this story reveals, these convictions are based on flawed procedures and extremely brief trials lasting only a few minutes, often without adequate interpretation for the defendants. As a result of such practices in Greek courts, Mohammad Hanan Abdi was sentenced to 142 years in prison, while Akif Razouli and Amir Zahiri received 50-year sentences each.

The documentary follows this judicial thriller for more than a year, capturing hearings that are repeatedly postponed, as well as the emotional reactions of the convicted men and their families.

After two years in prison, their appeals are finally heard, giving them and their lawyers — for the first time — the opportunity to challenge the accusations and demonstrate that there is no evidence against them. What will ultimately happen?

This documentary is a cry for justice.

A discussion in Greek with the filmmakers will follow the screening.

Free entry, reservation required.

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