On Monday January 31st the four activists, Simon Chapman (Britain), Suleiman “Kastro” Dakdouk (Syrian origin), Michalis Triakapis (Greece) and Fernando Perez Gorraiz (Spain), were found not guilty in Greek court of the charges related to the EU Summit in June 2003 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
During June 2003 the anti-globalisation movement organised massive demonstrations for the occasion of the EU Summit on immigration policies, among other subjects. In the second day of demonstrations brutal police repression led to numerous injured activists and many arrests. Of those arrested only 7 were finally remanded awaiting trial. In October 2003 the prisoners started hunger strike, which continued until the 27th of November when the 7 were released on bail. In 2004 all charges were dropped and the non-Greeks were allowed to leave the country, but in 2005 the charges were reinstated and finally 4 of the activists were found guilty with sentences of up to eight and a half years. And this despite the explicit evidence (pictures and videos) for the police fabrications, planting rucksacks with Molotov bombs to the accused. In the second trial on January the 31st Simon Chapman, Suleiman ‘Kastro’ Dakdouk and Michalis Triakapis were found not guilty of all but one minor charge (minor defiance of authority), and Fernando Perez Gorraiz was found not guilty of all charges. A victory for the four and the collective solidarity movement!
More information on:
http://www.salonikisolidarity.org.uk/
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