740 signatures on petition demanding the immediate release of the 7 prisoners was sent today to the Greek ministers of Justice and the Interior, as well as to the Athens daily Eleftherotypia
These signatures were collected in Edinburgh City Centre in less than 5 days. We will continue collecting signatures and distributing leaflets in High Street (we are there usually around lunchtime/early afternoon). We are also thinking of organising a public event, with a video of the events etc. We'll let you know ASAP.
freesalonika7@yahoo.co.uk
P.S. The text of the petition:
SEVEN PEOPLE ARRESTED DURING THE ANTI-EU SUMMIT DEMONSTRATIONS IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE (21/06/03) ARE STILL IMPRISONED
FIVE OF THEM ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE
WE DEMAND THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Interior, Greece
Simon Chapman, Suleiman Dakduk, Carlos Martinez, Fernando Perez, Spiros Tsitsas and two minors were arrested during the demonstrations against the EU-Summit in Thessaloniki (June 21, 2003). There have been serious allegations about their mistreatment (in cases amounting to torture) at the hands of police officers after their arrest. There is also video evidence (Greek TV footage) recording police officers planting incriminating ‘evidence’ on at least one detainee (Simon Chapman) after his arrest. All prisoners are currently detained facing serious charges that carry potential sentences of up to 25 years. Successive applications for their release awaiting trial have been rejected.
Five prisoners (Simon Chapman, Suleiman Dakduk, Carlos Martinez, Fernando Perez, Spiros Tsitsas) have been on hunger strike (for 41 to 58 days) protesting the circumstances of their arrest and imprisonment. According to a report by their medical team (November 14th 2003) all five hunger strikers have suffered serious, and probably irreversible, damage to their health. Their lawyers have applied for their immediate release on health grounds.
We demand the immediate release of ALL SEVEN DETAINEES awaiting trial and the thorough investigation of any allegation concerning their mistreatment at the hands of the Greek Police.
The undersigned:
740 Names
freesalonika7@yahoo.co.uk P.S. The text of the petition:
SEVEN PEOPLE ARRESTED DURING THE ANTI-EU SUMMIT DEMONSTRATIONS IN THESSALONIKI, GREECE (21/06/03) ARE STILL IMPRISONED
FIVE OF THEM ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE
WE DEMAND THEIR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To the Minister of Justice and the Minister of the Interior, Greece
Simon Chapman, Suleiman Dakduk, Carlos Martinez, Fernando Perez, Spiros Tsitsas and two minors were arrested during the demonstrations against the EU-Summit in Thessaloniki (June 21, 2003). There have been serious allegations about their mistreatment (in cases amounting to torture) at the hands of police officers after their arrest. There is also video evidence (Greek TV footage) recording police officers planting incriminating ‘evidence’ on at least one detainee (Simon Chapman) after his arrest. All prisoners are currently detained facing serious charges that carry potential sentences of up to 25 years. Successive applications for their release awaiting trial have been rejected.
Five prisoners (Simon Chapman, Suleiman Dakduk, Carlos Martinez, Fernando Perez, Spiros Tsitsas) have been on hunger strike (for 41 to 58 days) protesting the circumstances of their arrest and imprisonment. According to a report by their medical team (November 14th 2003) all five hunger strikers have suffered serious, and probably irreversible, damage to their health. Their lawyers have applied for their immediate release on health grounds.
We demand the immediate release of ALL SEVEN DETAINEES awaiting trial and the thorough investigation of any allegation concerning their mistreatment at the hands of the Greek Police.
The undersigned:
740 Names
e-mail:
