Skip to content or view screen version

Thessaloniki EU

June 2003: EU Summit Thessaloniki.

Full article | 1 comment

Lucky 13: Victory in Thessaloniki Battle

14-02-2004 13:13

Thessalonik Victory logo On Friday, February 13th, almost 8 months since their initial imprisonment, 13 people arrested during protests at the EU summit in Thessaloniki last June have had all charges dropped. 8 of the remaining cases are still under investagative review by the Greek Judiciary whilst the remaining 6 have had their charges dropped to misdemeanours. A final decision on whether to pursue allegations could come as early as next week. This is an enormous victory in the campaign against state repression waged by the Greek state against anti-capitalist protestors - although it must be remembered that the battle is not over yet.

Comprehensive coverage of the Thessaloniki Support Campaign can be found on the UK Indymedia site; Athens and Thessaloniki Indymedia sites both carry breaking news regarding the Thessaloniki 7 and the other accused.

[Castellano][Deutsch]

Full article | 10 comments

Thessaloniki Prisoner Support

02-12-2003 19:00

"Our Passion For Freedom Is Stronger Than Your Prisons"

Thessalonik Solidarity logo

BREAKING NEWS! - 13 Feb. 04: Legal Team: Simon Chapman has been acquitted and the charges against another 12 protestors have been dropped! [Reports on IMC-UK 1 | 2 | feature] [Report in Infoshop News] [Report in IMC-Athens] [Report in IMC-Nice(fr)]

Update - 12 Feb. 04: Simon has written a letter to update on events in Greece.

Update - 1 Jan. 04: Simon Chapman is allowed to return to the UK for 2 weeks to attend his fathers' funeral (See the corporate media reports section).

Update - 17 Dec. 03: Latest report from Athens states the investigation against the allegations of planting [of molotov cocktails] against Simon Chapman has been closed as the evidence was "made up"!

Update 12 Dec. 03: The most recent news, however, is that the police are still trying to produce evidence linking Simon Chapman to the molotov cocktails.

On November 26th, the "Thessaloniki 7" won a five months struggle against the Greek prison system and various Greek authorities. Souleiman "Kastro" Dakduk from Syria, Simon Chapman from the UK, Fernando Perez Gorraiz and Carlos Martin Martinez from Spain and Spyros Tsitsas from Greece were on hungerstrike between 49 and 66 days in protest against the conditions of their arrest and imprisonment. Michalis Traikapis and Dimitris Friouras were also incarcerated in another, juvenile prison. The determination and dignity of their struggle for justice finally proved to be stronger than the Greek anti-terrorist legislation that framed, imprisoned and almost killed them. Their dedication and passion for freedom spoke louder than the judges, police chiefs and Greek ministers that hoped they would be forgotten. They weren't, and people in many parts of the world showed solidarity to their defiance whilst making clear that "They are inside for us, we are outside for them."

The seven were amongst 29 protesters arrested during the protests against the EU summit in Thessaloniki. While the others have been released, the seven were held on remand on charges of rioting, possession of explosives and resisting authorities. All 7 say that these charges are false. In Simon Chapman's case, video and photographic evidence confirm that he was framed.

Read more

Reports | Letters | Evidence | Support | Solidarity Actions | Mainstream Media Reports | Links | Banners

Full article | 14 comments

Thessaloniki: Hungerstrikers' Determination Forces Their Release

01-12-2003 00:00

Passion banner

The Thessaloniki 7 were released on 26 Nov at 4.00 p.m Greek time. The hungerstrike has come to an end after between 49 and 66 days [First pics of the hungerstrikers & health report & FZLN support message]. The 7 are not allowed to leave Greece until their trial takes place [imc athens | imc uk].
The Council of Judges ruled their release after the district attorney in Athens ordered doctors to force feed the hungertrikers. Pressure on the Greek authorities had increased since the hungerstrikers' health deteriorated. Solidarity groups formed all over the world, 28 European parliament members called for the prisoners' release, Amnesty International called for an independent inquiry.

Indymedia Athens states: "This is a victory of the struggle for dignity and freedom by the 5 hunger strikers, of the other 2 prisoners, but as well the thousands of people that stood up for them all over the world!!!! It is an outright defeat for the greek state-repression complex, and for the global "anti-terror" mechanisms".

Solidarity campaigns all over the world continue demanding justice for the "Thessaloniki 7". The main IMC-UK Thessaloniki Solidarity page is updated continuously.

Imc Thessaloniki | Hungerstrike Latest Updates | Reports | Support | Free Simon Chapman Campaign

Full article

Hunger Strikers in Critical Condition

25-11-2003 23:00

Cambridge Thessaloniki solidarity stall
Cambridge activists have been raising awareness of the plight of 7 men, including Simon Chapman from the UK, who are currently on hunger strike in Greek Prisons after being arrested at protests in Thessaloniki in June. Passers by were given leaflets and shown a short film explaining the clear evidence that Simon was framed by Police who planted incriminating 'evidence' in order to give the impression that he had been carrying molotov's, a hammer and an axe.

One of the activists said, “The evidence is striking! Simon was seen wearing his blue rucksack when he was first dragged across the street by the police. Minutes later he was filmed surrounded by three black rucksacks which the police had filled with molotov's. It's all on film!”

LATEST UPDATE -- They're OUT! All 7 have been released on bail. See IMC UK for more information.

Full article

More solidarity actions for the Saloniki 7 in W. Yorkshire

21-11-2003 01:07

7 people are being detained without trial since the anti-EU demos of Thessaloniki, Greece in June 2003. 5 of them have been on hunger strike for between 49 and 66 days and are now on critical medical condition. Following a weekend of solidarity actions accross W.Yorks (report)it has been decided that solidarity actions will take place throughout the whole of this week as well, as the following days are extremely crucial for the hunger strikers' case.

Monday Nov 24 to Friday Nov 28:
  • @ 12:30 distribution of leaflets on the case outside travel agencies accross the city center. Meet outside Thomas Cook on Briggade, opposite Borders bookshop.
  • @ 18:00 meetings outside the Greek Consulate of Leeds. Meet at the Roundhay Fox pub, Roundhay Park (buses 12 and 2 from town).
Read more on the Saloniki 7

Full article | 1 comment

Free 'The Saloniki 7' - Demonstration in London

29-10-2003 15:50

On Monday 27 October there were two protests outside the Greek Embassy in London in solidarity with Simon Chapman and six other people imprisoned in Greece. The 'Saloniki 7' have been in jail since last June, when the mobilisations against the EU Summit took place in Thessaloniki. They have been refused bail under Greek "antiterrorist" legislation and they are now facing between 7 and 25 years imprisonment.

Five of the 7 prisoners are currently on hungerstrike protesting the circumstances of their arrests and imprisonment. Four of them have been without any food for 24 days, whilst Suleiman "Castro" Dakduk has already been on a hunger strike for 37 days.

For more information see IMC-UK dossier "Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity".

Full article | 11 comments

Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity

04-10-2003 20:17

More than three months after the EU summit in Thessaloniki, 7 people are continuing to be denied justice, despite overwhelming evidence that they have been framed and despite protests around the world.

Links: Main feature | Most recent update | update Oct 5/6 | Upcoming UK Solidarity

Full article | 9 comments

Legal Update: DSEi, Anti-War protests and others...

12-09-2003 12:53

Legal Update 16th September here.
Samba player in deep trouble after having been badly beaten by police and spending two days at Charing Cross police station; Witness appeal.

Liberty are asking for reports from people who were stopped and searched, ASAP. An email list has been set up for people who were arrested / beaten etc..

Since the 1st of September, 144 people have been arrested in protests against the Defence Systems and Equipment international arms fair (DSEi) that has been taking place in East London. Policing tactics have been condemned by a wide range of people and Liberty is have won the right to seek a High Court injunction over use of Section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000; they have also offered to provide legal representation for anyone stopped or detained under this legislation. Bindmans Lawyers have also requested information or witnesses from DSEi.

Numerous requests for witnesses have been made on the UK indymedia newswire [1 2 3 4 5 6]. There have also been several videos posted showing police violence against demonstrators which may provide evidence [ 1 2 - more can be found on the full reports from the 9th, 10th and 11th September].

Meanwhile, Anti-War demonstrators are still being threatened with - and receiving - harsh sentences. Protestors from Fairford come to trial next week while some are still fighting to get the charges reduced before they come to trial (Background to the case). Yet others are still looking for witnesses and some, like Ulla Roder (who was arrested for damaging a Tornado war-plane), have had their trials delayed numerous times.

Further afield, Simon Chapman and the Thessalonikki 7 remain imprisoned in Greece (solidarity website). Simon's first appeal has failed (against the charges) and he is currently awaiting the results of a second appeal. Key evidence such as the video have been re-submitted. In the United States, webmaster of raisethefist.com Sherman Austin has been imprisoned for 1 year; he has since been subject to death threats and is being kept in solitary on the grounds of safety as a reason.

Full article | 3 comments

Simon Chapman Latest

10-08-2003 13:03

Simon, arrested during the EU summit protests in Thessaloniki, is still in custody. An appeal against his charges was turned down. An International day of Solidarity for the Thessaloniki prisoners is called for Sunday 21st September.
Updates until 19 June | Ongoing updates | Simon Support Group

XML UK Thessaloniki EU Feature Archive

Text Thessaloniki political prisoner and stitch-up victim Simon Chapman convicted?
22-08-2008 06:58 | 5 comments

Image Heavy sentences for demonstrators against EU summit 2003
03-06-2008 09:05 | 4 comments

Text thessaloniki benefit - help wanted
13-01-2004 17:45 | 3 comments

Text EU targets "anarchist terror"
08-01-2004 12:10

Text Justice for Urslaan! Detained by US Military in Iraq for 7 weeks without charge
13-12-2003 19:24 | 2 comments

Text Bridge Protest in Madrid calls for full freedom for Thess. 7
06-12-2003 14:36

Text Saloniki 7: The Greek State won't give up that easily...
03-12-2003 02:07 | 3 comments

Text Letter of the FZLN to the Saloniki 7
01-12-2003 00:10 | 4 comments

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Evidence
30-11-2003 23:52

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Support
30-11-2003 23:50 | 1 comment

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity
30-11-2003 23:46

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Solidarity Actions
30-11-2003 23:46 | 1 comment

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Corporate Media
30-11-2003 23:42

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Reports
30-11-2003 23:39

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - Introduction
30-11-2003 23:30

Text latest on health of thess 5
27-11-2003 21:08

Text Thessaloniki 7: Pictures
27-11-2003 14:52

Text solidarity with hunger strikers- from dublin.
26-11-2003 18:58 | 1 comment

Text LAST UPADATE FROM GREECE
26-11-2003 17:55

Text THE SALONICA 7 ARE FREE!!! (CONFIRMED)
26-11-2003 15:39 | 3 comments

Text THESSALONIKI SEVEN RELEASED!!!!!!!!!!
26-11-2003 15:21 | 1 comment

Text Thessalonika 7 released
26-11-2003 15:14

Text The thessaloniki 7 are FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
26-11-2003 15:08

Text Thessalonki 7 Free (thessalonki indymedia report)
26-11-2003 15:07

Text The Thessaloniki 7 are free!!
26-11-2003 15:06

Text Thessalonik Prisoners RELEASED!!!
26-11-2003 14:58

Text Greeks Authorise Force feeding of Hunger Strikers
26-11-2003 14:57

Text the 7 are free
26-11-2003 14:43

Text Greek Hungerstrikers- 2 More Moved to Hospital in Critical Condition
26-11-2003 14:35

Text thessaloniki 7 is free
26-11-2003 14:30

Image Thessaloniki solidarity in Belgium
26-11-2003 14:24

Text Amnesty International Press Release on the 5 hunger strikers
26-11-2003 13:49

Image Reuters photo released today proves Simon's innocence
26-11-2003 12:33 | 18 comments

Text Doctors to be 'charged with homicide' if they do not force feed hunger strikers
26-11-2003 12:02

Text They (all five) could die any minute
26-11-2003 01:53

Image We interrupt this Greek cultural evening
26-11-2003 01:36 | 4 comments

Text Thessaloniki Support Actions In Leeds
25-11-2003 20:11

Text What else can we do to help the Saloniki hunger strikers?
25-11-2003 10:19 | 4 comments

Text Action Plan for The Hungerstrikers in Greece
24-11-2003 20:59 | 3 comments

Text Simon mentioned by BBC ....mp3
24-11-2003 18:44

Text Thessaloniki legal team press release
24-11-2003 16:37

Text URGENT - demo today (24th) 4-7pm outisde greek embassy
24-11-2003 15:27

Text Salonika 7: the public prosecutor issues a NEGATIVE proposal concerning their re
24-11-2003 15:06

Text Εdinburgh: 740 signatures for the Immediate Release of Salonica 7
24-11-2003 14:53

Text URGENT! PROSECUTOR SUGGESTED THESSALONIKI 7 NOT TO BE RELEASED
24-11-2003 14:41 | 3 comments

Text Los presos de Tesalónica en situación crítica. Manifestación e
24-11-2003 14:06

Text THESSALONIKI SEVEN SOLIDARITY
24-11-2003 11:11

Image 50 plates for 50 days
23-11-2003 23:07 | 1 comment

Text Thessaloniki Update - Sunday 23rd Nov
23-11-2003 17:03 | 1 comment

Text PRESS RELEASE by Thessaloniki Legal Team 2003
23-11-2003 00:52

Image refusing food in solidarity with Saloniki 7: Dublin, Ireland
22-11-2003 22:51 | 1 comment

Image Athens-University occupation in solidarity with Thessaloniki 7 continues
22-11-2003 18:48

Text Simon Chapman & Solaiman Dadkuk "Castro"
22-11-2003 13:25 | 1 comment

Text Hunger strikers' doctors statement
22-11-2003 13:20

Text torygraph covers thessaloniki hungerstrikers!
22-11-2003 02:56 | 1 comment

Image Support for Tessaloniki during and anti FTAA demo in Montreal
21-11-2003 21:50 | 3 comments

Text Hunger Strike: Solidarity Actions in London.
21-11-2003 21:42

Text Greek embassy occupied
21-11-2003 20:09

Text Hunger striker's health: critical
21-11-2003 19:49

Text thessaloniki 7: press update 21st Nov
21-11-2003 16:12

Text thessaloniki 7: latest london action plan
21-11-2003 03:54 | 2 comments

Text OCCUPATION OF ATHENS UNIVERSITY RECTOR´S INSTITUTE-THESSALONIKI 7 SOLIDARITY
20-11-2003 14:07

Text piece on simon in guardian
19-11-2003 22:17

Text WEST YORKSHIRE PRISONERS SOLIDARITY WEEKEND
19-11-2003 15:25

Text Salonika 7 Hunger Strike: Solidarity Action
19-11-2003 00:49

Text Saloniki 7 Prisoners Benefit Night & Talk @the Packhorse, Leeds Nov 23 at 19:30
18-11-2003 09:43 | 2 comments

Text H-Blocks: The Ultimate Sacrifice.
18-11-2003 07:45 | 1 comment

Text Donate Money to Support the Thessaloniki Prisoners
18-11-2003 01:19

Text 14/11/2003: Solidarity action in Paris for the Thessaloniki 7
18-11-2003 00:32

Text Hungerstrikers taken to hospital in Athens. They need our help !!!
17-11-2003 16:00 | 1 comment

Generic media free thessaloniki 7, benefit&solidarity exhibition and screening in colchester
17-11-2003 13:03 | 1 comment

Image The photo of Simon Chapman who is in hunger-strike for 44 days
17-11-2003 11:20 | 2 comments

Image Saloniki 7 solidarity 'picket' - London, Sat 15 Nov
16-11-2003 17:12 | 2 comments

Text Public petition-alarm call releashed by the 5 hunger strikers' doctors
16-11-2003 15:31

Text Medical report for thessaloniki hunger strikers
16-11-2003 13:20

Text where are you when people need you?
16-11-2003 01:21 | 3 comments

Generic media Update of actions of solidarity with thessaloniki 7
15-11-2003 11:18 | 2 comments

Text BBC: Fears for hunger strike Briton
15-11-2003 02:41 | 2 comments

Text MALTA SOLIDARITY WITH SALONIKI 7
14-11-2003 23:35

Text EU Greens demand immediate Release of Thessniki 7
14-11-2003 21:12

Image Report & photos from Thessaloniki solidarity demo in Dublin, Ireland
14-11-2003 19:17

Text THESSALONIKI SUPPORT DEMO - LONDON 15th NOV 1pm
14-11-2003 15:51 | 4 comments

Text Simon et al: Greek Ambassadors Reception GATECRASHED! & thoughts on more demos
14-11-2003 09:49 | 1 comment

Text free salonica 7
13-11-2003 15:21 | 3 comments

Text @narchist Bikers protest Greek PM over Salonika 7
13-11-2003 12:39

Text NEW EVIDENCE in thessaloniki case!
13-11-2003 04:16 | 2 comments

Text Boycott The Olympics
12-11-2003 13:52

Text Thessaloniki - hunger strikers in 400 mile transport ordeal
11-11-2003 17:13

Text Thessaloniki Prisoners Benefit Night
11-11-2003 11:14

Text Thessaloniki: Hunger strike - Transport
11-11-2003 06:47

Text Thessaloniki LegalTeam2003 PressRelease: 10/11
10-11-2003 22:50 | 2 comments

Text Thessaloniki 7: on line details
10-11-2003 20:05

Text Thessolaniki Prisoner Update. Now refusing liquids. Demonstration call out
10-11-2003 18:58 | 4 comments

Text Hunger Strike of the Salonika 7: News about the Prisoners of the Greek Presidenc
10-11-2003 17:45

Text Simon Chapman demo 11 November
10-11-2003 17:34 | 10 comments

Text Thessaloniki solidarity action
10-11-2003 12:43

Text London, 08/11/03: Thessaloniki Prisoners Support demo video
10-11-2003 01:33 | 1 comment

Text Two comrades detained for sabotage in Metro Barcelona set free
09-11-2003 17:44

Image "Saloniki 7" Support Demonstration in Thessaloniki, Friday 7th Nov
08-11-2003 19:44

Image The Ambassadors Reception - SalonikiSolidarity Report
08-11-2003 19:39 | 2 comments

Image Thessaloniki Solidarity Protest London
08-11-2003 19:35 | 5 comments

Text Norwich Anarchists solidarity hungerstrike update
08-11-2003 19:16 | 1 comment

Text photos from solidarity for 7 prisoners in athens
08-11-2003 17:27

Text Urgent update from Thessaloniki prisoners
08-11-2003 13:37

Text photos from solidarity demo in Thessaloniki, free thessaloniki 7
07-11-2003 21:09

Text 'Saloniki 7' Legal Team Press Release.
07-11-2003 21:05 | 1 comment

Text Saloniki 7 - Solidarity Action Saturday 8th November
06-11-2003 22:39 | 1 comment

Image 'Saloniki 7' Solidarity Action Outside Thessaloniki's Hospital
06-11-2003 16:37 | 2 comments

Text Soidarity screeining and talk for thessaloniki 7 in Colchester
06-11-2003 12:39 | 1 comment

Text New York Times blurb on Barcelona action
05-11-2003 20:35

Text Urgent Update from Thessaloniki
05-11-2003 12:06 | 3 comments

Text Saloniki 7 - Solidarity Action Saturday 8th November
04-11-2003 16:32 | 2 comments

Text Salonika Prisoners solidarity action in Norwich
03-11-2003 09:39 | 1 comment

Text Text of Daily Mail Article on Simon Chapman (from 17 Oct)
01-11-2003 23:32

Text Thessaloniki Hunger Strikers - Legal team press release
31-10-2003 11:29

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Solidarity - where is it?
28-10-2003 13:48 | 7 comments

Image THESSALONIKI 7 solidarity demo at the greek embassy.
27-10-2003 19:19 | 2 comments

Text MONDAY October 27th - Demonstration at Greek Embassy
26-10-2003 21:47

Text Monday Hunger Striker Demos
26-10-2003 13:20

Text Thessaloniki Prisoner Update - Oct. 23rd
24-10-2003 04:26

XML UK Thessaloniki EU Newswire Archive