Thessaloniki 4 in Greek court appeal win shocker!

In an extremely surprising decision, the Thessaloniki 4 have effectively won their appeal against sentences ranging from 5 to 8.5 years, and have been released.(except for Michaelis Triakapis who remains inside for a different matter).

Chapman's ordeal began when cops planted a black rucksack full of petrol bombs on him

This has been confirmed by a text from a close personal friend of UK defendant Simon Chapman, and by this post From the Greek Streets:
“All of the Thessaloniki 4 are free. The four comrades, including UK anarchist Simon Chapman, have been found not guilty for all (except one minor charge) in Greek court of the charges going back to the EU Summit protests and riots in Thessaloniki in 2003.

All four of the defendants are free. All the initial charges were dropped apart from “distinguished defiance of authority” which was then reduced to “minor defiance of authority”. This is a misdemeanour, carrying a 6-month suspended sentence, but none of them will be imprisoned unless of course someone is charged again during these six months. This was the best the juries could ever do, since they had to be charged of something, in order to “justify” the six months they had spent in prison back in 2003.”

Thessaloniki 4 appeal decision imminent

Court decision likely on 31 January / Bristol fundraiser on Saturday 5 February

The appeal by the Thessaloniki 4 against their sentences is likely to conclude on Monday 31 January, in Greece. The 4 face sentences of at least 5 to 8 years in a Greek prison if the appeal fails. Their alleged crimes occurred during protests in Thessaloniki in June 2003 against an EU summit. Background info here and here.

Prisoner support newsletter and updates

January 2011 finds us enthused by recent events around the world that point to the coming year as being a potentially significant one in the struggle against capital and oppression. Events in Belarus, Algeria and a little more successfully in Tunisia, show that many ordinary people can only be pushed so far before fighting back. Despite 2 decades of dictatorship and tightly controlled police states, and despite the consequences of resisting, people in these 3 countries have shown amazing bravery and determination.

We remain enthused by the actions of students and youth in late 2010 across the UK, into Italy, and spreading across Europe, giving a small indication that the ongoing 2 year rebellion in Greece is slowly spreading an anti-capitalist virus that the state has no final antidote to. Encouraging in these struggles have been displays of solidarity with people arrested, and a very fast learning curve amongst protesters of the need for legal info & support.

Major political trials start in Greece

The 14 and 17 January sees the start of 3 major political trials in Greece, in one instance dating back to events over 7 years ago. In the face of widespread radical opposition and street protests, the right-wing Greek state appears determined to try and lock up as many radicals as it can, while it still can.

Prisoner List January 2011

Here is our January 2011 list of political & radical prisoners who welcome support. As ever it has been compiled from various sources, and updates, corrections and additions are welcomed. Feel free to download a copy and pass it on. With the list comes our first prisoner support letter-writing night of 2011.

Prisoner list January 2011:
Prisoners list_Jan2011 (open office version)
Prisoners list_Jan2011 (pdf version)

Prisoner support letter-writing night:
Wednesday 12 January 2011, from 7 to 9pm. At Kebele social centre, 14 Robertson Rd, Bristol BS5 6JY.
All welcome to come along and send cards/letters to prisoner; have a chat; find out more. Until all are free!

They helped bring down a government – solidarity with the Reykjavik Nine

From Anarchist News…
An international week of actions has been called for 10th – 16th of January, 2011 in support of the Reykjavik Nine, nine individuals including anarchists and radical leftists, who face up to 16 years in prison for protest against the Icelandic parliament.

In December 2008 the bullet that killed Alexandros Grigoropoulos set fire to the streets of Athens, a fire that soon spread to every city across Greece. That same December on the opposite shore of Europe, in Iceland another revolt was already under way born out of the wreckage of the economy that had collapsed that fall.

Interview with released Ottawa 3 defendant

The Ottawa 3 were charged with a firebombing in spring 2010, an action that was made in solidarity with the upcoming anti-G8/G20 protests in and around Toronto in late June. One of the 3 defendants, Joseph Roger Clement, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 3.5 years. The other 2 have been released.

An interview with one of the 3, Matthew Morgan Brown, has been recorded and released on an excellent and entertaining Sub MediaTV broadcast reviewing 2010. Link to video and campaign support info.

Jock Palfreeman appeal trial continues 19 January

New public statement issued by Jock!

Jock’s appeal against his sentencing/convictions for murder and attempted murder continued late into December 2010. His next court date is set for 19 January in Sofia, Bulgaria, when the judge is likely to hear pleas from both sides before retiring to consider his verdict – which may take a month or two?