Press Release #2
G8 2006 Info and Press Group
10/07/06

Three Arrested at Protests Against G8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia
(For immediate release)

On Friday of this week (14 July, 2006), the G8 heads of state will meet in St. Petersburg, Russia. As usual, their meetings will be met by protest and resistance.

In Russia and further afield, protest preparations have been underway for months. International participants are expected to take part in the protests in St. Petersburg, as well as in a Global Day of Action against the G8 and in solidarity with the protests on Thursday 13 July.

Pressure, and threats of serious repression have been being made against those planning on taking to the streets of St. Petersburg this week. Yesterday, the first arrests were made.

Two Germans who had taken part in a “cycle caravan” to St. Petersburg were arrested along with a Russian. On their way back from shopping they were stopped by the police. Despite all of them having ID, they were taken to the local police station after being suspected of wanting to take part in protests against the summit. The Legal Team, providing protesters and others with legal advice, called the police stations who informed them that they were suspected of “Provocative Actions in the Territory of the Russian Federation“.

Police have said that they are attempting to organise a Russian-German translator, although this could take a while.

Adam Jones, of the “G8 2006 Info and Press Group“, set up to provide information about protests in St. Petersburg commented, “It is completely unacceptable that people could be held for days in custody on the pretext of there being no translators available. Those arrested should be released immediately.“

Kimmie Kliff of the same group explained, “It's important to show that there will be resistance against the G8 and the world they represent wherever they go, and also that international solidarity will be shown with those subject to repression at international summits. That's why we will also be demonstrating against Bush and Merkel's meeting here in Germany on Thursday, and taking part in the Global Day of Action on Friday.“


For more information contacts:
G8 2006 Info and Press Group
Tel: Adam Jones, ++49 (0)0162 350 8948
Email:  presse@gipfelsoli.org //  spb8media@riseup.net
Web:  http://presse.gipfelsoli.org

Notes to the Editor
1) The call for a Global Day of Action, issued by the Russian “Network Against G8“ is available online here:  http://www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/g82006/index.html (English, German and other languages)

2) Information about protests against Bush's meeting with German Chancellor, Angela Merkel is online here:  http://www.bush-in-stralsund.de/ and here:  http://www.g8-2007.de/200606/bush.php (in German only)