A translation of postings in Greek in IMC-Athens

A description of what happened the morning of Christofer Dousemetzis trial at Betlington.
We went into the courtroom in which the trial was to be held and we found another 3 lads who had come to watch (the number of Greek students showing unity was depressing).
In the court there where, apart from us, lawyers, 10 reporters (about 5-6 Greek ones), the Greek general councilor (something like an ambassador) of Britain and the other Greek councilor of Leeds. Left of the court the was a glass cubical in which Dousemetsis was guarded by 4 policemen.
The proceedings began with the announcing of the charges from the clerk of the court. The charges where two, as they are describe by article 57 of the British terror law (2000):
“Possession of certain objects which are a cause for suspicion that their possession was aimed or connected with the preparing or and carrying out of terrorist actions.”
And
“The possession of a document involving terrorist intentions”
Later we found out that the object where two rubber stamps, with the socialist star and the number 17 inside (a known symbol of the November 17 terrorist organization), the document was a supposed announcement written in English, which talked about the assassination which didn’t happen on the 3rd of march (when the November 17th terrorist organization was on trial), and that would have happened eventually at the 21st or 23rd (these dates can not be verified so don’t take them as fact).
After the announcement of the charges of the prosecution Christofer Dousemetsis was asked and he replied not guilty at both the charges. Which means that from then on the specific court (magistrates court) was only responsible for whether Christofer Dousemetsis would remain in prison until the trial in the crown court, or whether he would leave with restrictive conditions.
First (but depressingly quietly!) spoke the public prosecution, from what we heard (and with every precaution) he said that:
It is obvious that Christofer Dousemetsis has interest in the 17th November terrorist organization, and more specifically that he had traveled to Lebanon in order to come in contact with terrorist organizations. He repeatedly said that Christofer Dousemetsis showed enthusiasm for terrorist actions, he also said that he had shown his ex girlfriend an announcement of 17th November in which the intentions for an assassination on the 3rd of March, they day his “comrades where on trial”(yes he said it exactly like that!), where outlined.
He also mentioned that the friends of Christofer Dousemetsis say that he liked to impress his social circle and that he showed enthusiasm for terrorism.
Finally, he said that the prosecution does not claim that Christofer Dousemetsis was a member of 17th November but that he showed support for its goals.
He closed saying that the possibility of freeing Christofer Dousemetsis until his trial could mean that Christofer Dousemetsis would be able to travel abroad in order to support terrorism elsewhere.
In continuation replied the defense attorney .He began saying that Christofer Dousemetsis had the right to have his plea taken into consideration despite the nature of the charges. He also said that Christofer Dousemetsis is not accused of the possession of weapons or explosives, but only that he thought of using such means
In regard to the articles of the prosecution:
-The stamp, he said that Christofer Dousemetsis bought it from a shop in Newcastle. He also said that 17th November acted 30 years without being caught therefore it would be moronic for a member to act in such a irresponsible way The stamps where for a thesis for a PhD, which was authorized by Dousemertzis proffesor.He explained that such a PhD was attainable these days thanks to the material that has been accumulated in the press and in the news ,after the summer ,and showed that the star of the stamp was….a Christmas star to be found in Ms Word .
-For the announcement, he said only that it was only to impress his girlfriend and there where no intentions to commit murder. He also said that the fact that the announcement was written in English proves that it was only written to impress his girlfriend (who doesn’t know Greek).
From then one the defense made use of various facts in order to try and insure the temporal release of Dousemetsis.
-The fact that he lives in in a known address guaranteed by the police.
-The fact that he lives in England since 1995 and that he has relations with the local community and that he has intentions to begin another degree.
-Finally that Dousemetsis was prepared to present himself twice a day at the local police station and to submit his passport (the prosecution suggested he might have more than one) etc.
Then he asked from the judges to judge the case without the shadow of the word “terrorism”
After a few minutes break, the three judges reappeared in the courtroom and told Dousemetsis that they refuse his plea of leaving jail until the crown court trial. This refusal was based on the fact that several articles and facts where presented that made them believe that he had interests with terrorist organizations and a fascination with one in specific. They also said that that he had strong links with Greece (suggesting that he could escape there).
As a result Dousemtzis will remain in jail, at least until the 8th of April. At the end of this week there will be a plea from his lawyers fro a new trail, which is expected to be until the 15th of April.