Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Saturday urged authorities on Norway to release human rights defender Tommy Olsen and block his extradition to Greece. The rights organization warned that extraditing Tommy Olsen could expose him to serious violations and undermine Norway’s obligations to protect activists.

On March 16, Olsen was arrested in his home in Tromsø, Norway, under a European Arrest Warrant issued by Greece, where he faces charges of smuggling. He is accused alongside Greek human rights defender Panayote Dimitras of the Greek Helsinki Monitor, of smuggling and other offenses tied to their migrant rights work. Olsen is charged in Greece of espionage, human smuggling, and participation in criminal organization. If convicted, Olsen could face up to 15 to 20 years in prison under Greek law.

Eva Cossé, senior Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch stated that “Tommy Olsen’s arrest is the result of Greek authorities misusing the European Arrest Warrant to expand their crackdown on migrant rights defenders to Norway. Norwegian authorities should refuse to be a part of targeting rights defenders, release Olsen immediately, and refuse to extradite him on human rights grounds.”

United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defender Mary Lawlor has also expressed concern about Olsen being taken into custody pending possible extradition to Greece.

Tommy Olsen is a Norwegian human rights defender and humanitarian activist, best known as the founder of Aegean Boat Report, an NGO that documents the treatment of migrants and refugees arriving in Greece. Originally a nursery teacher from Tromsø, Norway, Olsen became deeply involved in humanitarian work during Europe’s refugee crisis, volunteering on Greek islands to assist asylum seekers. His organization has focused on exposing alleged pushbacks and abuses by Greek authorities, which has drawn international attention and government scrutiny.