Reports | 25 05 2020
The Greek court's ruling of a ten-year sentence may mean the obliteration of Ragheb Bushi's future. He who had dreamed of gaining access to Europe so that he may complete his studies, and thus help his family still residing in Damascus.
Ragheb escaped Syria, following arrest and torture in the [notorious] Political Security Branch No. 215. He arrived to Turkey, where he stayed for a mere three days, during which he struck a deal with the smuggler who promised to eventually get him into Greece. He made the dangerous trip aboard a small rubber dinghy with other migrants; but the Greek Coast Guard was able to arrest them. He was taken to court and charged with being a smuggler.
Ragheb stood in court and, in his own defense, told the judge: "Look at my passport [your honor]... I only arrived in Turkey three days ago. How can I become a smuggler in this very brief perod?"
Listen to what Ragheb told Rozana from inside his prison, and the advice he gave to other young people also planing to travel to Europe.
Listen to this story in Arabic: HERE