Germany: Raids against G8 opponents
german | 10.05.2007 21:37 | G8 Germany 2007 | Globalisation | Repression
"Operation aimless" by Federal Supreme Court prosecutors triggers even more mobilization capacity for G8 protests
Press release by the persons concerned
Press release by the persons concerned
Yesterday a nationwide search of left projects and individuals was taking place in Germany. The Federal Supreme Court prosecutor Monika Harms aimed with these searches on a criminalization and split of the broad resistance against the G8. The raids proved to be a total failure.
The intended intimidation of the left scene and the entire G8 protest movement did not succeed. Yesterday evening, more than 10.000 people in several German and European cities took to the street, to express spontaneously their solidarity. The wave of repression has triggered an even larger mobilization against the G8 summit that will take place from 6-8 of June in Northern Germany. Thanks Miss Harms, you scored an own goal!
Comparing the different raids in 40 places reveals the picture of an uncoordinated and aimless operation of the investigation authorities. Some examples: at least two of the accused persons have not been searched at all. Others have been searched carefully, while some just superficially. Some persons have been subjected to lengthy identification procedures and have been forced to make a DNA test, but not all of them.
Many search orders were justified with the accusation of membership of a terrorist association of the authors of the book "Autonome in Bewegung" (Autonomous in movement). This book, which is already published in a third edition, was used to justify the searches of bookshops, editorials, archives and other left projects. The book is available in any bookshop for €20,- and has never been an object of criminal prosecution.
The alternative Internet platform "so36.net" was searched as well. Thereby, the complete content of the mailbox of a lawyer and a lawyer's office was confiscated.
The search of another person was motivated with the suspicion of participation in an arson attack on the Dussmann Company. The accused person was observed with Internet surveillance. According to the search order he is accused of having done an extensive Internet research about the Dussman Company. This is the only evidence that should prove his participation in the attack.
If this is supposed to be the juridical practice of the future, the doors are opened for arbitrariness: anyone visiting an Internet portal risks to be subjected to criminal prosecution.
Yet another accused person is suspected of participation in an arson attack on the base of being present at a public event.
All accused persons are active in the preparations of the protests against the G8 summit: the preparation of the action day about global agriculture, the day of action about migration, the day of action against militarism, and the blockades of the military airport Rostock Laage, an many other planned activities. "We will mobilize even more now for the protests and we are glad about the additional momentum that we got through the actions of the Federal Supreme Court prosecutors", as the accused persons explained this morning.
The intended intimidation of the left scene and the entire G8 protest movement did not succeed. Yesterday evening, more than 10.000 people in several German and European cities took to the street, to express spontaneously their solidarity. The wave of repression has triggered an even larger mobilization against the G8 summit that will take place from 6-8 of June in Northern Germany. Thanks Miss Harms, you scored an own goal!
Comparing the different raids in 40 places reveals the picture of an uncoordinated and aimless operation of the investigation authorities. Some examples: at least two of the accused persons have not been searched at all. Others have been searched carefully, while some just superficially. Some persons have been subjected to lengthy identification procedures and have been forced to make a DNA test, but not all of them.
Many search orders were justified with the accusation of membership of a terrorist association of the authors of the book "Autonome in Bewegung" (Autonomous in movement). This book, which is already published in a third edition, was used to justify the searches of bookshops, editorials, archives and other left projects. The book is available in any bookshop for €20,- and has never been an object of criminal prosecution.
The alternative Internet platform "so36.net" was searched as well. Thereby, the complete content of the mailbox of a lawyer and a lawyer's office was confiscated.
The search of another person was motivated with the suspicion of participation in an arson attack on the Dussmann Company. The accused person was observed with Internet surveillance. According to the search order he is accused of having done an extensive Internet research about the Dussman Company. This is the only evidence that should prove his participation in the attack.
If this is supposed to be the juridical practice of the future, the doors are opened for arbitrariness: anyone visiting an Internet portal risks to be subjected to criminal prosecution.
Yet another accused person is suspected of participation in an arson attack on the base of being present at a public event.
All accused persons are active in the preparations of the protests against the G8 summit: the preparation of the action day about global agriculture, the day of action about migration, the day of action against militarism, and the blockades of the military airport Rostock Laage, an many other planned activities. "We will mobilize even more now for the protests and we are glad about the additional momentum that we got through the actions of the Federal Supreme Court prosecutors", as the accused persons explained this morning.
german