Ahmed Alkwrab thought his experience was over last June when he survived one of the most dangerous shipwrecks ever recorded in the Mediterranean Sea and finally set foot on European soil.

Hours after a fishing trawler bring hundreds of migrants capsized, however, the Egyptian housepainter found himself being questioned by Greek authorities who then charged him and eight others with smuggling and causing the disaster.

If convicted, he would have faced life jail time.

When they sat me in a space by myself and shut me in, the fear started. What's wrong? What's happened? Did I do anything? he told Reuters.

They're informing us that we are smugglers. Traffickers? No, no, no, no - that's not how it is at all.

Their arrests triggered outrage from worldwide rights groups who stated the migrants were being utilized as scapegoats for coastguard errors which the case versus them was lightweight.

Alkwrab and the other implicated spent 11 months in pre-trial detention awaiting a chance to argue their innocence. When that chance came last month, the judge threw out the case within hours, allowing the guys to walk complimentary.

Alkwrab's frequently emotional account, shared specifically with Reuters, is the first time any of the accused have spoken publicly about their experience.

He and the others were implicated of being part of the ship's. crew, distributing water and repairing things. He denies this.

I didn't do it. Nor did I provide anyone a mouthful of water,. nor did I repair a boat or go down to the engine.

The overcrowded Adriana was bring up to 750 Pakistani,. Syrian and Egyptian migrants before it capsized off Greece on. June 14, one of the worst disasters in a decade-long. Mediterranean migrant crisis. It raised concerns about the EU's. treatment of migrants, many of whom risk death for a more. thriving life in Europe.

Only 104 survivors and 82 bodies were discovered.

The cause of the shipwreck is challenged. Survivors say the. coastguard triggered the boat to capsize throughout an unsuccessful attempt to. tow it. The coastguard denies this, saying that the migrants'. motions on board had caused it to sink.

NOT QUITE FREE

Alkwrab said hardship had actually forced him to leave Sadat city in. Egypt.

The youngest of his 3 kids was born with a lung. condition that required expensive treatment that two tasks. could not pay for.

He intended to reunite with his bro in Italy and discover work. and obtained 140,000 Egyptian pounds ($ 2,954) from friends to. spend for the journey.

Alkwrab broke into sobs as he stated his time in jail,. missing his children maturing and his boy Omar's first words. He did not communicate with the prison guards. Fellow inmates informed. them there was no chance they would ever be released.

Quick calls with his family kept him going. They informed him to. look after himself which God would not forget him.

The important things that harmed me the most was Omar calling me 'Dad'. when I remained in jail, Alkwrab stated.

The happiest day in 11 months was when I came out innocent. One day in 11 months, he included.

Alkwrab is remaining now in Athens waiting for word on his asylum. demand. He does not feel fully complimentary yet.

I actually want to end up being legal in this country, Alkwrab. said. To show to everybody that we are here for a function, to. do something to change our lives..