Grace and Samuel (both pseudonyms to protect their identities) are a married couple from West Africa, who are currently seeking asylum in Greece. In 2023, whilst travelling to Greece, they discovered that Grace was pregnant, and as confirmed by medical professionals, she was expecting twins.

Upon their arrival in Greece, medical professionals once again affirmed the presence of twins. The couple have the ultrasound pictures and Consultant Radiologist’s letter that confirms this. However, subsequent examinations revealed a disparity in the strength of one twin's heartbeat, prompting the doctors to recommend a caesarean section.

Grace was admitted to the hospital, and her husband was instructed to return home for the night. This was in accordance with standard hospital policy which typically does not allow partners of expectant mothers to stay overnight. When Samuel returned the next day, he was informed that his wife had undergone a caesarean section. However, they were told that there had only ever been one baby, not two.

This revelation prompted the couple to suspect that the hospital had taken the other baby and was trying to conceal its existence. In a typical scenario, where a baby is stillborn in a Greek hospital, the couple would have the opportunity to see the infant, and a death certificate would be issued as per legal requirements. This stands in stark contrast to the current case, where the couple were informed that there had been no second baby.

Our aim is to raise money so that we can file a criminal lawsuit with the Greek Prosecutor. To do so would cost £750 - this would cover the lawyer’s fees and expenses. Once the Prosecutor receives an application, they will instigate an investigation. This generally begins about 3 months after the application was received, and involves the Prosecutor questioning the medical professionals and other personnel involved in the case. If the Prosecutor believes that there is a valid case, they will allow the case to proceed to court.

Please help Grace and Samuel find the answers they need to receive closure!

Who We Are:

A.Ss.I.S.T. (Asylum Seekers Information Services Team) is a Greek-registered non-profit company. At A.Ss.I.S.T., we are committed to upholding fundamental human rights. Through a holistic approach to service delivery, we support asylum seekers and refugees throughout Greece with free information and legal services. Recognising their vulnerability and respecting their autonomy, we prioritise marginalised groups, providing tailored support to overcome the many challenges that they face daily.  Whilst A.Ss.I.S.T. does not undertake criminal cases, we are raising funds for a local lawyer willing to take up the case. 

Please note, as A.Ss.I.S.T. is a Greek-registered non-profit company, all funds will go to our UK partner, ForRefugees. ForRefugees is a registered charity, in the UK, that funds grassroots humanitarian aid and urgent relief services for refugees.