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GER11620-110702
11 July 2002


GERMANY: Total objector Malik Sharif on trial tomorrow
follow-up on GER11620-051101, GER11620-061101, GER11620-221101, GER11620-040102


Total objector Malik Sharif will be on trial tomorrow, 12 July, on charges of disobedience.
Malik Sharif was called up to start military service on 1 November 2001 at the Freiherr-von-Fritsch barracks in Breitenburg near Itzehoe in northern Germany. He presented himself on 3 November 2001, accompanied by supporters, and refused to obey to any orders (GER11620-051101). Because of this, he was arrested and spent 80 days in military arrest, before being discharged.
He now will be tried and sentenced by a civilian criminal court, because disobeying orders is also a criminal offence, which carries a maximum sentence of 3 years.
Malik Sharif refuses military and (civilian) substitute service, because substitute service too is part of the military structure. It is "war service without weapons". In case of a "war of defence", people performing substitute service willed be called up for unlimited service, as well as conscripts. They will service in civil defence and in support of the German army. As a pacifist, Malik therefore has to refuse to perform substitute service too.


War Resisters' International calls for support to Malik Sharif. Go to his trial, which will take place at the Amtsgericht Berlin, Wilsnacker Str. 4, room 2/B 229, 9am.


War Resisters' International calls for letters/faxes of protest to the court:
Ref. AZ 339 Ds 324/02.JUG
Fax +49-30-90143059


War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of all conscientious objectors, in Germany and everywhere.


Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International



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