Görlitz: Syrians convicted of smuggling 32 foreigners!

Görlitz: Syrians convicted of smuggling 32 foreigners!

A man was recently sentenced to four years and eight months in prison at the Görlitz regional court, drawing public attention to the current challenges in the area of ​​smuggling. The convicted man, a 32-year-old Syrian, was convicted of seven counts of smuggling foreigners for profit and as a gang. The illegal activities he organized included the smuggling of 32 foreigners from Belarus via Poland to Germany. The responsible court also decided that his cell phone and 16,000 euros would be confiscated. Interestingly, the decision was in favor of speeding up the proceedings as past acts were not pursued further, which was agreed by the court and the parties. The public prosecutor's office had originally demanded a prison sentence of five years and the confiscation of 80,000 euros, while the defense sought a prison term of four and a half years.

The man, who applied for asylum in Germany in 2023, actively coordinated drivers and other people involved in Belarus and Poland. Some of the foreigners were brought across the border near Görlitz in cars and others on foot. However, the ruling is not yet final, meaning the matter could potentially take a further legal turn.

Background to smuggling crime

The current developments in Görlitz take place in an important European context. In recent months, the European Parliament and the Council have adopted new rules designed to strengthen cooperation between EU agencies in the fight against migrant smuggling and human trafficking. This emerges from a report by the EU Commission that was published in September 2025. Magnus Brunner, Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, described this agreement as part of a new system to manage migration. Europol will be better equipped to support national authorities, including through a European Center to Combat Migrant Smuggling (EMSC). These developments are important to ensure better interaction between the relevant authorities and help to prevent the organization and implementation of criminal activities such as the above-mentioned smuggling.

The new regulations include, among other things, that Member States are obliged to share information with Europol and other Member States within joint operational task forces. Furthermore, Europol's operational capacity will be strengthened with an additional 50 million euros and 50 new positions, which promises to significantly improve efficiency in the fight against smuggling crime.

The step towards improving security

These events are characterized by increasingly intensive consideration of the issue of migration and smuggling crime. The conditions for migrants are sometimes dramatic and endanger not only their rights but also their lives. The verdict in Görlitz could serve as a signal to other possible perpetrators and illustrates the authorities' determination to take consistent action against such practices.

Conclusion: The conviction of the man in Görlitz is more than just an isolated case - it reflects efforts to actively combat the current challenges in dealing with smuggling crime at the European level. It remains to be hoped that such measures not only have legal consequences, but also have a preventative effect to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of everyone involved.