Statement of captured anarchist Lukáš Borl

Statement to my arrest

On Sunday, September 4th, 2016, I was arrested by the police in Most and then taken to the remand prison in Litomerice. Unfortunately it happened what I did not want to, but knew all along that this may occur at any time. Fortunately, I have mentally prepared myself for such situation so it allows me to deal calmly with this kind of unpleasant reality, which I’m and apparently people close to me are exposed to now.

I was captured by those who defend the rule of capital over our lives. Nevertheless, that doesn’t change anything on my will to continue along the path that I have chosen. I will continue to destroy and create. To fight and love. I remain an anarchist with everything that belongs to it. I decided for now to write a few paragraphs about my imprisonment. Surely I will soon express my opinion about other issues that I consider important.

Before the arrest

It’s no secret that at a certain moment I decided to “disappear”, in worry that the police was planning my arrest. I have expressed my reasons in the text “Disappearance of supervision of state power”, which  is published various sites of the anarchist movement. The choice I made, allowed me to live hidden and quite happily for months. I freely moved and ate a good food. Whole world became home for me, and I was able to find havens for cultural and social existence in it. Because of emotional and material support I had enough energy to keep fighting for emancipation. I knew about the risks associated with it, but I have never thought about to finish with that and I do not think of it even now. To break free from dictatorship of the state and capitalism is an enough attractive aim, that it is impossible to turn away my attention from it. Even the fact that the power is threatening me with finger, baton or prison… Being an anarchist means to me to understand such threats as an inevitable consequence of my expressed desire for freedom. It is connected with daily rebel life. Fact that I can not avoided, but I can defy it. What I do and I will keep doing.

The circumstances of my arrest

Police arrested me in Most, a small city where I was born and lived for a long time. I have part of my family and many friends there. In Most with some people we run a community center “Ateneo” and organized a long series of events associated with the anarchist movement. In short, in this city I’m quite known person, both to the population and the police and bureaucrats.

For some people it will be a manifestation of “stupidity” that I had decided to come into the city, where in the same time I was the subject of a European arrest warrant. Even if my closest people would think so, I will not blame them. Because they look at the matter from a different position than I do. So I do understand that some people don’t find a comprehension for the thoughts and actions of a person who is in the underground for longer time. The life of person on the run is connected with the separation from the people who he/she loves and whom previously had been in close and frequent contact with. It’s one of the hardest thing, that a person in such a situation has to deal with. Fundraising, food, shelter or providing security in contrast, are relatively easy tasks. There are two ways how to deal with such separation. Either accept it passively, which also means expose yourself to the suffering and unending frustration. Or try to overcome the separation with occasional contacts, which of course greatly increases the risk of getting caught by the police. I “instinctively” chose the second option. I knew what I was risking and what I could lose. But, I also knew, that in isolation I can lose something, what is very important to me – contacts with people I care about and who care about me. That’s why I decided to come to Most, knowing the risks.
Everything could go smoothly and soon I would  move to a safer place, it was not a difficult task, and I had carefully prepared for it. But as everyone surely knows, into our lives, sometimes enter unexpected events, which can not be predicted, nor reversed. In such cases does not help the preparation nor the will or abilities. We are dragged by events without being able to prevent them or change them. That’s exactly what happened in my case. As a result, I not only failed to make contact, but also I was arrested. I will not explain now, why and how it happened. Perhaps I will do so later.

Police resolution

Shortly after the arrest, was presented to me a resolution to initiate criminal prosecution. During the whole process, I decided to exercise the right to remain silent. The case is investigated by the police department for Combating Organized Crime (ÚOOZ). They accuse me for the foundation, supporting and promoting a movement aimed at suppressing human rights and freedoms. According ÚOOZ I founded a Network of revolutionary cells (SRB), participated in some SRB’s events and I wrote some SRB’s communiqués and published  them on the “Asociace Alerta” website. Further they claim that I have committed violation of possession, damaging property of another, 4 times. Twice during an arson attack on a police car. Once during an arson attack on a shop door. And once by spraying on the wall of Prague prison Ruzyne. Finally I am also accused by ÚOOZ for blackmailing the owner of steak restaurant “Řízkárna”.

I carefully studied all accusations to find out on what bases ÚOOZ beliefs that I committed those acts. Honestly, it really calmed me down, because those “proofs” are a mixture of speculation and evaluation of the “trails”, which in fact doesn’t prove my involvement in those acts.

Defence

As is known, I have no sympathies for judicial system. I consider it as part of the repressive instruments of capitalism, of which I am an opponent. Nevertheless, I decided to try to defend myself in court regarding the weak “evidences” that the ÚOOZ presents against me. I realize that this election means fight on the enemy’s territory with limited resources. That’s the reason why I don’t have exaggerated expectations or illusions that the court would be an independent institution that could serve to emancipation struggle.

I will defend myself in court, but I still stand behind that the anarchist struggle must be based primarily on the subversive logic of direct action rather than relying on institutional instruments of  the state and indirect (representatives mediated) forms of action. From what I have been saying and doing since years, it’s clear what kind of struggle I prefer. I will  keep acting according to that and I want the same from the people who is in solidarity with me.

Still armed and dangerous

During my hiding period, the police and the media denominated me as dangerous and armed. I confirmed it in a text -Lukáš Borl v hledáčku policie. (Lukas Borl in viewfinder of the police.) After the arrest, the police take away from me my defensive pepper spray, knuckleduster, a gas pistol with two magazines and 23 rounds (ed. These weapons are in the Czech Republic legally available without a gun license). Now they keep me in jail. I stand by the fact that I’m still armed and dangerous. Dangerous (to capitalism), because, even behind the bars I refuse to adapt to the conditions of exploitation and encourages the others to rebel against them. I’m still armed because of my willingness to be solidary. Up to this moment they weren’t able to take it away from me and recorded it as a matter of importance for criminal proceedings. Solidarity and rebelliousness are weapons that I still have on me and I’m ready to use it. I have done that already, I do that now and I will keep doing it.

Ground of fighting

As an anarchist, I was always aware of the possibility to be arrest. Every regime after all, suppress its opposition in such a manner. Now I am in pre-trial detention jail, but do not consider it as the end of the anarchist path. Jail is just one of many phases of that revolutionary may (but need not) go through. It’s not the end. Only a change of circumstances and ground where I will now struggle against the perpetrators of oppression. I am pleased that It can keep fighting together with other anarchists. With those, who understand that collective struggle is the only way out of capitalist mud.

Solidarity actions

Anyone who feels the need to support me can choose own way and timing according to own considerations. I will not tell anyone what to do and how. But I explicitly don’t want to see anyone, without my consent, to disclaim direct actions done in my support. If I don’t agree with any action, I will express that by myself, if I consider it important.

An advice for those who doubt about what action would be welcome: get information about my past, to understand what ideological positions I stand for. If this is understandable for you. Then it will make you lose any doubts about what action I would welcome and which not. No time to lose.

No social peace with those who oppress and exploit us. The struggle continues!

Anarchist greetings from prison!

Your brother, friend, comrade Lukáš Borl – 11.9.2016, Litoměřice

Address:
Lukáš Borl 1.3.1982
Vazební věznice Litoměřice
Veitova 1
412 81 Litoměřice