BBC: Fears for hunger strike Briton
news | 15.11.2003 02:41 | Thessaloniki EU
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/3272203.stm Last Updated: Friday, 14 November, 2003, 21:08 GMT
Fears for hunger strike Briton
Simon Chapman, 30, from Basildon, Essex, has not eaten since 5 October 2003 in protest at his detention for crimes he says he did not commit, during an anti-capitalist protest.
But while his brother, Chris Chapman, has flown to Greece to urge him to give up the hunger strike, Simon has said he will continue until the claims against him are resolved.
Simon Chapman, speaking to the BBC from his prison in Greece, said he felt the police were looking for "someone to punish" when they arrested him and four other protesters.
He said: "I don't think it's anything personal against me directly.
Video evidence
"I think they felt someone had to be punished for the disturbances on the day and it didn't really matter who it was as long as they had someone."
Mr Chapman was demonstrating at the European Union summit in Thessaloniki in June, when he was arrested.
He was later charged with possessing Molotov cocktails, an axe and a hammer - items he says were planted on him by the police.
His supporters claim there is video evidence to prove his innocence.
However, his case and those of the other protesters - two Spaniards, a Syrian and a Greek - have yet to make it to court.
Under Greek law they can be detained for up to 18 months while their case is heard.
However, Chris Chapman said he hoped during his visit to Greece to persuade the authorities to grant his brother bail.
"I have never known Simon to be even remotely violent," he said. "It came as a complete shock when we found out what he had actually been charged with."
He added that he had urged Simon to end his hunger strike.
"I am very concerned," he said. "He's obviously lost a lot of weight since the 5 October and his health is obviously deteriorating rapidly.
"As far as I believe he's determined to continue his hunger strike until the situation is resolved."
Eleftherios Oikonomou, from the Ministry of Public Order in Greece, said he was sure justice would be done.
"Greece is a democratic country which respects human rights and the rule of law," he said.
news
Comments
Hide the following 2 comments
Guardian: Firebomb attackers demand Briton's release
15.11.2003 03:23
Firebomb attackers demand Briton's release
Helena Smith in Athens
Saturday November 15, 2003
The Guardian
Greek militants firebombed five Athens banks and a political party's offices yesterday and demanded the release of a Briton arrested during anti-globalisation riots last June.
The blasts caused minor damage at the banks and a branch of the opposition conservative party as concern grew over the condition of Simon Chapman and four other anti-capitalist activists - from Greece, Spain and Syria - who have been on hunger strike since October 5.
The Essex-born graphic designer, 30, was arrested on June 21 during protests against the EU summit near Salonika. He was taken to a prison hospital this week as doctors voiced concern at his deteriorating health.
They feared he had begun to show symptoms of serious heart and lung problems. "They are all at the second, critical stage when a hunger strike can cause irreversible damage," said Milto Griva, one of the group's doctors. "Simon is especially weak because he is a heavy smoker."
Police said the firebombings had reinforced the government's decision to take tough security measures in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the November 17 student uprising against military rule.
Mr Chapman faces up to 25 years in jail if convicted of fomenting rebellion and possessing firearms. On Thursday, his lawyer made a third application for his client to be freed on bail.
Baroness Sarah Ludford, a Liberal Democrat MEP for London, has appealed to Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, to intervene.
Christopher Chapman, an account executive, said after visiting his brother in hospital: "We're appealing to Jack Straw to intervene urgently due to Simon's failing health. He told me he is determined to go on with the hunger strike until he feels that justice is done, which means his release."
more news
if anyone wants to thank the barnoness
15.11.2003 11:38
letters:
Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP
36 St Peter's Street
London.
N1 8JT
email to her assistant:
Paul Naish, Constituency Manager
David Wood, Constituency Assistant
Tel/Fax: 020 7288 2526
concerned