For As Long As There Is Even One Prisoner In The Hands Of The State, No One Will Be Free (EN)

iberia | crime prison and punishment | opinion / analysis Tuesday July 12, 2005 19:11 by ΟRA MIDEN

In May 2005, within a period of two weeks, the Italian State unleashed a massive suppressive operation against anarchist activists,

In May 2005, within a period of two weeks, the Italian State unleashed a massive suppressive operation against anarchist activists, by performing 190 home searches and public meeting places, followed by 22 arrests (of which 13 remain in custody, while the rest are being kept home restraint), and tens of prosecutions under the charge of “subversive union”. In June 11, following a decision by the public prosecutor’s office of Bologna, 5 of them were released.

On Saturday June 25, in Barcelona, Spain there was a call for a solidarity march to the imprisoned Italian anarchists which took place under extreme police pressure and intimidation, starting off with systematic and forceful adduction and id checking in the whole area surrounding Urkinaona Square, which resulted in the complete encirclement of the block of demonstrators by the riot police under the directions of members of the police internal intelligence agency (special agency of the Spanish security police which collects info about political movements and political actions) Eventually, the police encirclement intentionally became so tight that did not allow the solidarity march to be peacefully concluded, since the riot police suddenly commenced a tactless assault that ended in trampling, severe beating, seriously wounding of demonstrators and the arrest of seven people. Following impeachment, two of them were set free on the same night because they were minors. With regards to the rest, 2 from Greece, 1 from Italy, I from Chile and 1 from the Chech Republic, after being charged, initially 3 of them were imprisoned in isolation for an indefinite period until a court date was to be set, while the remaining 2 were banned from exiting the country, in addition to the restrictive clause of appearing to the court once a week to declare their presence. That decision was taken by the “dishonourable” judge Ramirez Sunyer who is well known for his close ties to the Barcelona police intelligence agency.

On Thursday July 7, 2 of the 3 detainees were set free until the court date. The comrade from Greece was released under the restrictive clause of movement and 3.000 euros bail, while the comrade from the Chech Republic without any restrictive clauses. Imprisoned remains the comrade from Italy, Alberto, since the same judge rejected his initial petition for discharge.

It is unacceptable to legitimise preventive imprisonment and compulsive measures towards people that have done absolutely nothing more than demonstrate in solidarity to imprisoned political prisoners, whether they are in Italy, Spain, Greece or anywhere in the world

We demand an end to the current persecution of people for their political beliefs in Italy, Spain and Greece.

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