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12/02/2003 Thessaloniki 7 out of Prison from indy global
"They are in for us, we are out for them"
On November 26th, the "Thessaloniki 7" won a five months struggle against the Greek prison system and various Greek authorities. Souleiman "Kastro" Dakduk from Syria, Simon Chapman from the UK, Fernando Perez Gorraiz and Carlos Martin Martinez from Spain and Spyros Tsitsas were on hungerstrike between 49 and 66 days in protest against the conditions of their arrest and imprisonment [First pics of the hungerstrikers & health report].
The Saloniki 7 were amongst 29 protesters arrested during the protests against the EU summit in Thessaloniki. While the others have been released, the seven were held on remand on charges of rioting, possession of explosives and resisting authorities. All 7 say that these charges are false, as say their friends, family and supporters. In Simon Chapman's case, video and photographic evidence confirm that he was framed.
The 7 are not allowed to leave Greece until their trial takes place. The Council of Judges ruled their release after the district attorney in Athens ordered doctors to force feed the hungertrikers. Pressure on the Greek authorities had increased since the hungerstrikers' health deteriorated. Solidarity groups formed all over the world, 28 European parliament members called for the prisoners' release, Amnesty International called for an independent inquiry.
Read: Entire Feature
[ Updated Thessaloniki Solidarity Page | IMC Thessaloniki | IMC Athens ]
posted by Nathan Hall at 12/02/2003 07:32:00 PM link |
