Yannis Vasilis Yaylali, Peace Activist On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, a decision is expected to be handed down by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum of the Hellenic Republic regarding the new application submitted by Yannis Vasilis Yaylali for political asylum. His previous application was rejected a few months ago.
In a letter released by Yaylali a few days ago, he stated:
“Dear friends, human rights defenders, journalists, activists for peace and democracy,
I am Yannis Vasilis Yialali, a human rights activist, journalist and conscientious objector of Pontic Greek origin. In Turkey, I was persecuted and imprisoned for years because I honored the memory of the genocides, fought for peace, exposed human rights violations and practiced conscientious objection.
Due to the risk of re-arrest and torture, I have been living in Greece since 2019.
The Greek Ministry of Migration rejected my initial asylum application. The reasoning for the rejection was based on my experiences during my compulsory military service in the 1990s, where I witnessed the burning of villages and human rights violations, which were deemed “war crimes,” turning the issue against me. However, I was not a perpetrator of these crimes, but a witness, and today I am a peace activist who openly condemns them.
We are now appealing to the second instance court. This stage is crucial both for my safety and to determine whether Greece will uphold international refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement.
If I am extradited to Turkey, I will face serious human rights violations, further arrests, and even the risk of losing my life. As an activist with more than 13 cases and arrest warrants against me, there is no chance of a fair trial there.
I ask human rights organizations, Greek and international civil society, the Pontic and Greek diaspora, the press, and politicians to make my voice heard.
Demand that the Greek authorities reconsider their decision to deny my application, recognize my refugee status, and not return me to Turkey.
You can show your solidarity by sharing posts on social media with the hashtag #FreeYannis or by sending letters/signatures to the Greek Ministry of Immigration and the relevant courts. – Your legal, financial or moral support is vital to me.
Justice and human life are paramount. If we raise our voices together, it may be possible to correct this illegal rejection.”
In a letter released by Yaylali a few days ago, he stated:
“Dear friends, human rights defenders, journalists, activists for peace and democracy,
I am Yannis Vasilis Yialali, a human rights activist, journalist and conscientious objector of Pontic Greek origin. In Turkey, I was persecuted and imprisoned for years because I honored the memory of the genocides, fought for peace, exposed human rights violations and practiced conscientious objection.
Due to the risk of re-arrest and torture, I have been living in Greece since 2019.
The Greek Ministry of Migration rejected my initial asylum application. The reasoning for the rejection was based on my experiences during my compulsory military service in the 1990s, where I witnessed the burning of villages and human rights violations, which were deemed “war crimes,” turning the issue against me. However, I was not a perpetrator of these crimes, but a witness, and today I am a peace activist who openly condemns them.
We are now appealing to the second instance court. This stage is crucial both for my safety and to determine whether Greece will uphold international refugee law and the principle of non-refoulement.
If I am extradited to Turkey, I will face serious human rights violations, further arrests, and even the risk of losing my life. As an activist with more than 13 cases and arrest warrants against me, there is no chance of a fair trial there.
I ask human rights organizations, Greek and international civil society, the Pontic and Greek diaspora, the press, and politicians to make my voice heard.
Demand that the Greek authorities reconsider their decision to deny my application, recognize my refugee status, and not return me to Turkey.
You can show your solidarity by sharing posts on social media with the hashtag #FreeYannis or by sending letters/signatures to the Greek Ministry of Immigration and the relevant courts. – Your legal, financial or moral support is vital to me.
Justice and human life are paramount. If we raise our voices together, it may be possible to correct this illegal rejection.”
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