Urgent!: Thessaloniki Hunger Strikers' Medical Condition is Fast Reaching a Critical Point
IMC-UK | 17.11.2003 00:38 | World
Five of the 'Saloniki 7', imprisoned on false charges following demos around the EU Summit in Thessaloniki, have been on hungerstrike for between 41 and 58 days in protest against their imprisonment.
Solidarity actions are happening all over the world. Watch a slide show of actions in Greece, a report of an occupation of the Greek Embassy in Paris during the ESF demonstration, and latest reports [1 | 2] from London.
Urgent!: Nov 15 - Newly released, full medical report details the horror of their current physical condition. Public call released by the 5 doctors of the hungetstrikers.
Recent Update: Nov 12 - The Legal Team submitted another release application at the Thessaloniki Courts on medical grounds [Report (Gr/Eng)].
The other two 'Saloniki 7' prisoners started a seven day solidarity hunger strike on Nov 10. It is due to end next Monday, Nov 17.
The main IMC-UK Thessaloniki Solidarity page is updated continuously with latest reports.
Imc Thessaloniki | Hungerstrike Latest Updates | Reports | Support | Free Simon Chapman Campaign
London free Saloniki 7 demo
The 'Saloniki 7' - have been in jail since last June, when the mobilisations against the EU Summit took place in Thessaloniki. Five of them are on hungerstrike protesting against the circumstances of their arrests and imprisonment. Spiros Tsitsas has been without food since Oct 7th, Simon Chapman, Fernardo and Carlos have not eaten since 5th Oct. Suleiman "Castro" Dakduk has been on a hunger strike since 21 Sept [see IMC-Thessaloniki for up-to-date figures].
Update-Diary
November 15th: Newly released, full medical report details the horror of their current physical condition. Public call released by the 5 doctors of the hungetstrikers.
November 12th: The Legal Team submitted another release application at the Thessaloniki Courts on medical grounds [Report(Gr/Eng)]. Doctors visited the hungerstrikers today. They report that their medical condition is now very dangerous, and can result in irreversible damage to their health. Fernando Perez's situation remains critical and doctors fear he could fall into coma at any time.
The other two 'Saloniki 7' prisoners started a seven day solidarity hunger strike on Nov 10 which is due to end next Monday, Nov 17.
November 11th: After a dramatic 2 day thirst strike, the prisoners demands for slight improvements of their conditions were met [report]
But they were forced on a 400 mile transport ordeal from Thessaloniki to a prison hospital in Athens. This was ordered by the Ministry of Justice and involved a massive police presence. [Report]
November 10th: The hunger strikers, who have all been in hospital since Friday night, have today started to refuse liquids. This dramatic escalation in their protest was in response to a denial of their basic rights. When their lawywers arrived at the hospital they were surrounded and threatened by armed police who prevented them from entering. Also rumors that the hungerstrikers may be split up and sent to seperate prisons some miles away [Report | Legal Team Press release]
November 8th: All 5 hungerstrikers are taken to hospital as their physical condition is becoming increasingly critical.
November 6th: Fernando and Tsitsas went to Papanikolaou hospital, as a result of being on hunger-strike [Report(Gr/Eng)] and went back to prison as they did not accept any food or medical treatment. Legal Team press release.
November 5th: Carlos Martin has been returned to the prison after having spent 1 day in two different hospitals. His lawyer reports that on arrival to the hospital he was put in a chair with his hands tied behind his back, and was continually beaten and kicked by police throughout the night.Report here.
November 3rd: Carlos Martin Martinez was admited to hospital on Monday evening after 30 days without food, IMC-Thessaloniki reports.
Recent Solidarity Actions, UK and Europe
Paris - Nov 16: Greek Embassy occupied during the ESF Demonstration.
London - Nov 14: Solidarity picket takes place outside the Greek Tourist Board in central London [Reports 1 | 2]
London - Nov 14: A benefit gig in support of the Thessaloniki Prisoners Support Campaign is taking place at the Eton Mission Social Club, 91 Eastway, Hackney Wick.
London - Nov 11: Protests were held outside the Greek Embassy in the morning and after work. Also, a reception by the Greek Ambassador was gatecrashed by a protestor [Report & Thoughts on more actions]
Colchester - Nov 11: Solidari@s organised a solidarity screening and talk.
Norwich - Nov 9: a "Week of Action" in support of the 'Saloniki 7' called by Norwich Anarchists, ended with a 24hr protest and solidarity hunger strike [update].
London - Nov 8: On the international day of action in solidarity with the Saloniki 7 hunger strikers, about 80 people went to the Greek ambassadors house. They protested with samba and a street-theatre re-inactment of Simon's arrest [Pics and Reports 1 and 2 | Video]
Cardiff - Nov 8: Cardiff Anarchist Network organised a solidarity benefit gig
London - Oct 27: Solidarity Demonstration outside the Greek Embassy.
Demonstrations in support of the "Saloniki 7' are continuing to be held throughout Europe:
Greece - Nov 15: List of Solidarity actions since Nov 11. Malta - Nov 15: Malta solidarity with Saloniki 7; 34 Rock bands, Political, Cultural and Social Organisations, Promoters, Publishers, Artists and Music Critics have signed a petition that was submitted to the Greek Ambassador in Malta.
Thessaloniki - Nov 14: Between 40 and 50 anarchists occupied the offices of the governamental party. When they left the building they were attacked by the police. Protestors were beaten and sprayed with gas. One activist was arrested, but freed later. Reports in Greek [1 and 2]
Dublin - Nov 14: Demonstrators on today's action carried a heavy black wooden coffin to the front door of the Greek Embassy in Eire. They also carried five large black flags - each one a symbol of the five people on hunger strike. [Full report & Photos]
A Corunha - Nov 14: A series of continuous 24h solidarity hunger strikes started 3 days ago in the Galician city. The action has been organised by the anarchist local group Oveja Negra
Athens - Nov 12: 150 protesters on motorcycles drove to the front door of Greece's Prime Minister private residence, where they held an impromptu demonstration seeking the release of the 'Saloniki 7'.
Thessaloniki - Nov 11: 2 people were arrested outside Korydalos prison whilst they were trying to film the transfer of the Thessaloniki 5, so to get further evidence of the inhuman treatment they are receiving.
Thessaloniki - Nov 7: A 2,000 strong demonstration took place.
Athens - Nov 6: 1,500 people took the streets in support of the 'Saloniki 7'[Pics 1|2|3|video | report]. On the same night, three banks were attacked in the City [Photos]
Thessaloniki - Nov 4: Report and Photos of solidarity picket outside Thessaloniki's hospital where Carlos Martin was taken on Nov 3rd.
Barcelona - Nov 3: 70 Metro entrances were sealed with a combination of silicone gel and the fitting of ill fitted keys into the locks.[report]
Thessaloniki - Oct 31: A symbolic solidarity hungerstrike [es] was held by the girlfriends of 3 of the prisoners until Nov 2. [statement].
Thessaloniki - Oct 21: There was an office occupation of the Journalist's Union in Thessaloniki last week as well as a planned Theatrical action for the solidarity of the 7 imprisoned. A solidarity pamphlet has also been circulated by the "enemy within."
Worldwide - Sept 21: An international day of action in support with th 'Saloniki7', with actions in the USA (San Francisco), Greece (Athens - 1 / 2 / 3 ) and Spain (Barcelona), although there have been spontaneous demonstrations on other days too (see report from Helsinki). There have also been actions in Madrid, and other places. Read the updates from Athens Indymedia.
Related Contributions
- A reflection on the state of prisoner's support in UK: Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - where is it?
- London Defence and Monitoring Group update 24th October 2003.
- Legal Team Update 29/10/2003 on the health of the hunger strikers.
- Calendar of solidarity events around the world.
For donations to the campaign for the immediate release of the "Thessaloniki 7" send cheques payable to "ABC" to: BM AUTOMATIC, LONDON, WCIN 3XX, UK. For more links or to get involved email: thessalonikiprisoners@yahoo.co.uk
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