As the judge presiding over the case of Rodrigo, Alex and Juan (the 4Feb prisoners) in Barcelona continues to deny them bail and to allow evidence from the defense, the prisoners commenced a hunger strike today, monday 19th June.
Rodrigo's mother has also joined the hunger strike to draw attention to the gross injustice suffered by the 4FEB prisoners. Despite lack of evidence against them (or perhaps due to this), the three are on remand until their trial, which could take up to two years. Their conditions in prison have been appalling. All three have suffered torture and racial abuse from prison guards as they did from their arresting officers. Two requests for bail have been denied on the dubious (and blatantly racist) grounds that they are of Latin American origin and could flee the country, even though all three have strong ties in Spain/EU. At least one is an EU citizen. Their squatter lifestyle has also been invoked as a reason to refuse bail.
Added to this injustice is the judge's persistent refusal to hear evidence from the defense, which she deems "irrelevant". "Irrelevant" evidence includes witness reports of the events which led to the prisoners' arrest, and medical reports which demonstrate that the injured police officer's injuries were not caused by a stone. This medical evidence in particular directly contradicts police testimonies which are the only evidence against the 4feb three.
Friends and family are concerned that the prison authorities could respond to the hunger strike with still more severe treatment, such as isolation, and this could cause, in the words of a close friend of the three, in "irreversible trauma".
It is more vital than ever, then, that we keep in contact with the prisoners and support them however we can, and that we keep international attention fixed on the case.
We are waiting to hear what international support is needed, but in any case it is clear that the prisoners need to be reminded of our support. You can write to them at the following addresses:
Both RODRIGO ANDRES LANZA HUIDOBRO and JUAN PINTO GARIDO are detained at:
C.P. Jovenes
C/ Padre Manjon 2
08033 BARCELONA
SPAIN
Contact ALEX RUBEN CISTERNAS AMESTICA at
Apartado de Correos 20
C.P. La Modelo
08080 BARCELONA
SPAIN
For more details on the case, see www.karcelona.revolt.org
Added to this injustice is the judge's persistent refusal to hear evidence from the defense, which she deems "irrelevant". "Irrelevant" evidence includes witness reports of the events which led to the prisoners' arrest, and medical reports which demonstrate that the injured police officer's injuries were not caused by a stone. This medical evidence in particular directly contradicts police testimonies which are the only evidence against the 4feb three.
Friends and family are concerned that the prison authorities could respond to the hunger strike with still more severe treatment, such as isolation, and this could cause, in the words of a close friend of the three, in "irreversible trauma".
It is more vital than ever, then, that we keep in contact with the prisoners and support them however we can, and that we keep international attention fixed on the case.
We are waiting to hear what international support is needed, but in any case it is clear that the prisoners need to be reminded of our support. You can write to them at the following addresses:
Both RODRIGO ANDRES LANZA HUIDOBRO and JUAN PINTO GARIDO are detained at:
C.P. Jovenes
C/ Padre Manjon 2
08033 BARCELONA
SPAIN
Contact ALEX RUBEN CISTERNAS AMESTICA at
Apartado de Correos 20
C.P. La Modelo
08080 BARCELONA
SPAIN
For more details on the case, see www.karcelona.revolt.org
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