American actor Rudy Youngblood successfully appealed his deportation order through his attorney and was granted permission to leave Greece voluntarily.
“Mr. Youngblood came to Greece because he loves our country and wanted to create a meaningful film production,” said his lawyer, Julinda Rexhepaj. “He is pleased to have been released and holds no ill feelings, viewing this experience as a minor setback in an otherwise positive journey.”
In his appeal, Youngblood detailed the events since his arrest in Kypseli on December 27, 2024. He claimed he was stopped by plainclothes officers who did not clearly identify themselves. Feeling threatened, he reacted defensively but insists he never resisted or assaulted the police.
“I didn’t realize they were officers until after they handcuffed me,” he stated, adding that he was not informed of his rights during the arrest.
He expressed concerns that forced deportation would have devastating professional and personal consequences, as it would bar him from entering Schengen countries for five years.
Following a swift trial, he was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a suspended sentence. Youngblood explained that he did not fully comprehend the judicial process or the implications of his conviction, as he had not sought legal counsel, believing he was not at fault.
The arrest and subsequent legal proceedings revealed that Youngblood’s visa had expired, prompting a deportation order. The actor explained he had overstayed due to health issues, having been hospitalized in November.
With the decision to allow voluntary departure, Youngblood now has a brief window to leave the country and avoid further legal problems.
