British hunger striker to be freed
By Harry de Quetteville in Athens
(Filed: 27/11/2003)
A British protester who went on hunger strike in Greece after being jailed during an EU summit is to be given bail when he is strong enough to leave prison hospital.
The ruling was made by an Athens court yesterday.
Simon Chapman, 30, from Basildon, Essex, had been protesting against globalisation when he was arrested in June.
Four other protesters were held during riots at the Thessaloniki summit and charged with possessing weapons.
The men all denied the charges and began refusing to eat almost two months ago to publicise the fight for their release.
Under Greek law they could have been held for up to 18 months without trial.
Doctors were ordered to force-feed the five, who are said to be in a critical condition, to prevent them from dying.
But the doctors at the hospital where three of the five are being held refused to comply with the public prosecutor's decree. They said it was "illegal and unethical".
Mr Chapman's lawyer, George Ververis, said he was delighted with the verdict and promised that his client would end his hunger strike.
"But he will need to stay in hospital to learn to start eating again, very, very slowly," Mr Ververis added.
21 November 2003: TV shows Briton on EU riot charge 'is innocent'
By Harry de Quetteville in Athens
(Filed: 27/11/2003)
A British protester who went on hunger strike in Greece after being jailed during an EU summit is to be given bail when he is strong enough to leave prison hospital.
The ruling was made by an Athens court yesterday.
Simon Chapman, 30, from Basildon, Essex, had been protesting against globalisation when he was arrested in June.
Four other protesters were held during riots at the Thessaloniki summit and charged with possessing weapons.
The men all denied the charges and began refusing to eat almost two months ago to publicise the fight for their release.
Under Greek law they could have been held for up to 18 months without trial.
Doctors were ordered to force-feed the five, who are said to be in a critical condition, to prevent them from dying.
But the doctors at the hospital where three of the five are being held refused to comply with the public prosecutor's decree. They said it was "illegal and unethical".
Mr Chapman's lawyer, George Ververis, said he was delighted with the verdict and promised that his client would end his hunger strike.
"But he will need to stay in hospital to learn to start eating again, very, very slowly," Mr Ververis added.
21 November 2003: TV shows Briton on EU riot charge 'is innocent'
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27.11.2003 15:04
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