Posts Tagged ‘Trial’
Call for solidarity with imprisoned anarchist comrades on trial for bank robbery – Jan 23 (Germany)
Monday, January 2nd, 2017
The anarchist comrades accused of participating in the expropriation of a bank office in Aachen in the month of November 2014 are still imprisoned in Germany awaiting trial that will start on January 23rd 2017. The dutch comrade, also judged for expropriation of a bank office on the same territory, is free at the moment, although the prosecutor has appealed the decision after the judge granted acquittal.
From Solidaritat Rebel, we want them to feel our solidarity for it to cross borders, bars and walls, and send them all our strength and complicity.
We want to unmask and point out three important protagonists responsible for the kidnapping of our comrades.
1) The prosecution: Pax Bank and its partners
The bank offices where the expropriations were carried out belong to Pax Bank and Aachener Bank – ever since its founding by priests in Cologne in WWI – linked to the catholic church and recently also to the arms trade. While preaching humility, morals and ethics, they fill their pockets selling weapons in wars, for which they later ask to be prayed for. Another proof of the unbreakable alliance between Church and Capital. (more…)
Tags: Aachen, Bank Robbery, Germany, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
Trial preparation against anarchist comrades Juan, Nataly and Enrique ends (Chile)
Wednesday, December 21st, 2016
During the first week of December, the trial preparation was concluded against the comrades Nataly, Juan and Enrique who are accused of various explosive attacks against police stations and metro stations.
In this bureaucratic / judicial instance it is sought to establish what evidence will be presented in the oral trial.
We must remember that these comrades are being held in the former penitentiary, the maximum security section and San Miguel Prison while the prosecution for their part raises accusations that seek to sentence them for decades and decades of imprisonment.
It is expected that they will soon set a date for the completion of the trial as a culmination of the democratic inquisition to punish the rebellious insurrectionists.
All our solidarity with Juan Flores, Nataly Casanova and Enrique Guzman!
via Publicacion Refractario, translated by Insurrection News
Tags: Chile, Enrique Guzmán, Juan Flores Riquelme, Nataly Casanova, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
Comrade from Amsterdam accused of a bank robbery of 2013 in Aachen is acquitted (Germany)
Sunday, December 11th, 2016
On the 8th of December the court acquitted the comrade from Amsterdam accused of a bank robbery of 2013 in Aachen.
Over 60 people were present in court, to show their support. The judge refused the rough indications argumented by the prosecution that aimed to prove the presence of the comrade in the bank on that morning more then 3 years ago.
However, the prosecution has already announced their recourse to the revision court. This means that a judge now will revise the whole court case to see if there were any procedural mistakes or incoherence with the judges reasoning for his decision. In case this court finds any errors, the trial will have to be re-done in the court of Aachen, but by a different judge. If this recourse fails, these charges and juridical procedure will be closed.
However, there are two comrades still in pre-trial detention with charges for a bank robbery that was committed in 2014. Their trial will begin at the end of January.
We send strength and courage to the comrades inside, may they feel the solidarity through the concrete walls and iron bars.
https://solidariteit.noblogs.org
Tags: Aachen, Bank Robbery, Germany, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
Aachen Bank Robberies Case: Trial report and announcement of the date of the verdict (Germany)
Sunday, December 4th, 2016
Aachen: 1/12 update and announcement of date of the verdict
Today, 1/12 was the final day of trial for the presentation of the evidence for or against the comrade from Amsterdam accused by the prosecution of Aachen of a bank robbery that took place in July 2013 in the same city.
This means that on the next court date (5/12) both the defense and the prosecution will argument their pleas, marking the conclusion of this court case. Today the judge said that the verdict could already be on Monday 5th December, but he spoke about the possibility that the two judges and the two jurors could also take more time to deliberate and pronounce the verdict on Thursday 8th. Both court dates are scheduled to begin at 9:30, thus, for anyone wanting to be present, remember that the lines and extra controls could take up to 45 minutes to get through. (Be there latest at 8:45!!)
Since the last update an other carousel of experts and police officers have proudly fulfilled their dutiful collaboration to this repulsive judicial circus. (more…)
Tags: Aachen, Bank Robbery, Germany, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
Alleged Japanese Red Army member Tsutomu Shirosaki found guilty, given 12-year sentence (Japan)
Tuesday, November 29th, 2016
Alleged Japanese Red Army member Tsutomu Shirosaki has been found guilty in his trial over the May 1986 mortar attack on the Japanese embassy in Jakarta. The Tokyo District Court today handed down a 12-year sentence for the attack, in which two projectiles were launched from a hotel room but failed to cause injury or extensive damage.
Shirosaki was deported to Japan in February 2015, having serving 18 years in prison in America for an attack on the US embassy during the same incident. He was then arrested at Narita Airport and his trial for attempted murder began in September, concluding on November 1st.
Shirosaki was a veteran of Sekigun-ha (Red Army Faction), the far-left domestic group out of which the JRA partly emerged. He was arrested in 1971 for bank robbery (Sekigun-ha carried out a successful bank robbery campaign to raise funds) but freed in October 1977 when the JRA hijacked a plane, forced it to land in Dhaka and demanded the release of various prisoners in Japan. He was later re-arrested in Nepal in 1996 by local authorities in co-operation with the FBI. (more…)
Tags: Indonesia, Jakarta, Japan, Japanese Red Army, Repression, Trial, Tsutomu Shirosaki
Posted in Prison Struggle
Update from the appellate trial of anarchist comrades Giannis Naxakis and Grigoris Sarafoudis (Greece)
Wednesday, October 5th, 2016
During the session on September 27th, prosecution witnesses were examined who did recognize the comrade. They did not recognize the voice of anarchist G.Sarafoudis, neither his characteristics. What they testified was not very different from what they said in the first trial for the case.
The initial sentences in this case were 16 years each. Comrades G.Sarafoudis and G.Naxakis were arrested on April 30th 2013 in Nea Filadelfia area, with the then wanted comrades A.Dalios and F.Harisis. Grigoris has also been sentenced to 8 years for a robbery of a bank in Filota. The next session is on October 11th and the head of the anti- terrorist force will testify.
Gathering on October 11th at 9am at room D120A on the 6th floor of the
appellate court room on Loukareos.
Factual solidarity to our comrades.
Strength!
Act for freedom now!
Tags: Athens, Giannis Naxakis, Greece, Grigoris Sarafoudis, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
Investigation period extended against anarchist comrades Juan, Nataly and Enrique (Chile)
Friday, September 2nd, 2016
During the last days of August, the courts accepted the request from the defense for the comrades Juan Flores, Nataly Casanova and Enrique Guzmán who were seeking to re-open the investigation into the charges under the anti-terrorism law against the comrades. The intention of the defense is to gain access to a video that police claimed was key to their investigation, a video that neither the prosecution nor the police want to hand over.
The investigation period has been extended for another 30 days.
The prosecutors, faithful to their dishonesty declared: “The office of the prosecution has worked very seriously and very meticulously. The evidence in the investigation folder has been in the possession of all the participants from the beginning.”
Solidarity with Juan, Nataly and Enrique!
via Publicacion Refractario, translated by Insurrection News
Tags: Chile, Enrique Guzmán, Juan Flores Riquelme, Nataly Casanova, Repression, Santiago, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
The attorney of Turin appealed the sentence in the trial against Silvia, Billy and Costa (Italy)
Friday, September 2nd, 2016
The state attorney of Turin, represented by Arnaldi Di Balme, was not pleased with the sentence of nonsuit due to the “ne bis in idem”, that because of lack of jurisdiction the case was not allowed to proceed. Now they are getting back on track appealing against all the jurisprudence and asking for a new process. Once again the persecutor is insisting on claiming that the transport of explosive material and the attempted attack to target IBM in Switzerland was planned in Italy.
The attorney is trying to proof this based upon the participation of Silvia, Billy and Costa in the Coalizione contro le nocivitá (Coalition Against Nocivity – toxicity/harmfulness). An experience of struggle against harmfulness that during its active years has created an active projectuality against bio- and nanotechnologies.
These attempts of repression should come as no surprise; the law is built specifically to repress critical and struggling environments that go against this exploitative system.
For us it remains clear that it is a necessity to get rid of this ecocidal system that uses science and research as their executive branch.
For those who would like to deepen their understanding we suggest the reading of the publication “Solidarity and Complicity – A collection of texts around the attempted sabotage of the IBM nanotech labs in Switzerland and on the expression of solidarity when the repression got the upper hand” (at the moment only in Italian).
https://silviabillycostaliberi.noblogs.org/
Tags: Costantino Ragusa, IBM, Italy, Luca Bernasconi, Nanotechnology, Repression, Silvia Guerin, Switzerland, Switzerland Earth Liberation Front, Trial, Turin
Posted in Prison Struggle
Trial of anarchist comrades Juan, Nataly and Enrique is approaching (Chile)
Saturday, August 20th, 2016
After almost two years since the arrest and detention of comrades Juan Flores, Nataly Casanova and Enrique Guzmán, the prosecution have decided to end the investigation period of the case and proceed towards the trial.
In the theater of the modern inquisition, once the investigation period has ended the prosecution have 10 days to present ‘the indictment’, which details the evidence and convictions that they are requesting.
The comrades are accused of the attacks that occurred in 2014 at Subcentro, the metro station of the Dominicans and two police stations.
All our solidarity with the comrades!
via Publicacion Refractario, InsurrectionNews
Tags: Chile, Enrique Guzmán, Juan Flores Riquelme, Natalie Casanova Muñoz, Santiago, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
(Grecia) Dictan condenas contra Andreas Tsavdaridis, Spyros Mandilas y compas de CCF por acciones del “Proyecto Fénix” / Update on the conclusion of the ‘Phoenix Project’ trial
Thursday, August 4th, 2016
[Por Sin Banderas Ni Fronteras tomando información desde blog “Mpalothia]
El martes 26 de julio a las nueve de la mañana en una sala especial para juicios en la prisión femenina de Koridalos se desarrolló la sesión final del jucio por los ataques del “Proyecto Fénix” en Grecia. El juicio duró más de dos años y comenzó en junio de 2014.
Lxs acusadxs fueron lxs compañerxs Spyros Mandilas (quien ha negado los cargos pero ha defendido la violencia revolucionaria anarquista), Andreas Tsavdaridis (quien desde un comienzo asumió su responsabilidad en el envío de un paquete bomba contra un jefe de policía en 2013) y lxs 10 compañerxs de Conspiración de Células del Fuego, quienes ya estaban todxs en prisión cuando se realizaron los ataques.
En la sala de audiencias compañerxs solidarixs estuvieron presentes apoyando a lxs compañerxs acusadxs.
En concreto, lxs compañerxs estaban siendo acusadxs de:
1) Andreas Tsavdaridis:
I) Participación en Conspiración de Células del Fuego.
II) Atentado homicida contra el ex comandante de la agencia antiterrorista Dimitris Chorianopoulou con un paquete bomba.
III) Intento de explosión (por el paquete bomba)
IV) Posesión de explosivos (por el paquete bomba)
2) Spyros Mandilas:
I) Participación en Conspiración de Células del Fuego
II) Atentado homicida contra el ex comandante de la agencia antiterrorista Dimitris Chorianopoulou con un paquete bomba.
III) Intento de explosión (por el paquete bomba)
IV) Posesión de explosivos (por el paquete bomba)
3) Conspiración de Células del Fuego:
I) Incitación al asesinato en el atentado contra el ex comandante de la agencia antiterrorista Dimitris Chorianopoulou (paquete bomba)
II) Incitación en intento de explosión (por el mismo paquete bomba)
III) Instigación a la posesión de explosivos (por el mismo paquete bomba)
IV) Incitación a explosión (por la explosión del automóvil de la directora de la prisión de Korydallos, María Stefie, en junio de 2013)
V) Instigación a la posesión de explosivos (por la misma explosión anterior)
VI) Incitar a una explosión (explosión en automovil del carcelero Argyris Gkelmpoura en junio de 2013)
VII) Instigación a la posesión de explosivos (por la misma explosión anterior)
VIII) Apoyo a los ataques ya mencionados.
Finalmente, las condenas fueron las siguientes:
* Andreas Tsavdaridis: encontrado “culpable” por cuatro cargos y condenado a 32 años de cárcel de los cuales deberá cumplir 21 en prisión.
* Spyros Mandilas: encontrado “inocente” de todos los cargos, pero la corte se negó a devolrverle los dos computadores incautados por la policía durante el allanamiento a la Okupa Nadir.
* Conspiración de Células del Fuego: todxs lxs compañerxs de CCF fueron declaradxs “culpables” y condenados a un total de 74 años de cárcel, de los cuales 21 deben cumplir en prisión.
Nos negamos a que la represión tenga la última palabra en esta historia, por eso compartimos un recuento de las 18 acciones que desde el año 2013 se han desarrollado como parte del “Proyecto Fénix”:
1) Grecia (Atenas): 7 de junio de 2013. Voladura del automóvil personal de la directora de la prisión de Korydallos, reivindicado por Conspiración de Células del Fuego-FAI/FRI y “Pandillas de la Conciencia-FAI/FRI, Célula ‘Sole Baleno'”. http://alturl.com/9f4q4
2) Grecia (Atenas): 12 de junio de 2013. Voladura del automóvil personal de un carcelero de la prisión de Nauplia, reivindicado por “Conspiración Internacional por la Venganza”. http://alturl.com/acrkh
3) Indonesia (Yakarta) : 26 de junio de 2013. Incendio intencional en la 3ª planta del hotel Sheraton, reivindicado por “Unidad de la Cólera-Conspiración Internacional por la Venganza”. http://alturl.com/2hiud
4) Grecia (Tesalónica): 3 de julio de 2013. Envío de paquete explosivo
contra el ex comandante de la unidad antiterrorista, reivindicado por “Federación Anarquista Informal-Frente Revolucionario Internacional, Comando ‘Mauricio Morales'”. Por esta acción fueron detenidos los compañeros Spyros Mandilas y Andreas Tsavdaridis (quien asumió su responsabilidad en la acción). http://alturl.com/ikxdp
5) Indonesia (Balikpapan) : 24 de agosto de 2013. Incendio intencional de la Escuela de Policía “Libertad para Kernel Mandilis y Tsavdaridis “Conspiración Internacional por la Venganza-FAI/FRI, Célula ‘Libertad para Mandylas y Tsavdaridis'”. http://alturl.com/4mof9
6) Grecia (Atenas): 1 de septiembre de 2013. Envío de paquete explosivo contra el juez de apelación especial Dimitris Mokka, reivindicado por “Conspiración de Células del Fuego-Célula ‘Ryo'”. http://alturl.com/wihgm
7) Rusia (Bryansk) : 2 de octubre de 2013. Incendio contra aserradero de madera en los terrenos de un complejo hotelero y de caza. Reivindicado por “FLT-FAI, Comando ‘Nestor Makhno’. http://alturl.com/p2jwn
8) Chile (Santiago): 16 de noviembre de 2013. Ataque incendiario/explosivo en la 98° Junta Electoral en la comuna de La Reina. Reivindicado por desde “Célula ‘Larga vida a Ilya Romanov’- Afines a la Internacional Negra”. http://alturl.com/f7ipq
9) México (Toluca): de 18 de noviembre de 2013,artefacto explosivo en una iglesia y un banco en el distrito de San Sebastián. 21 de diciembre de 2013, artefacto explosivo-incendiario en banco cerca del aeropuerto. Ataques reivindicados por la “Facción Anti-civilización del Frente de Liberación de la Tierra”, junto a la Federación Anarquista Informal (FA-FLT / FAI). http://alturl.com/ef7ao
10) Indonesia (Malang): 9 de enero de 2014. Ataque contra cajero automático, reivindicado por la “Célula ‘Sebastián Oversluij Seguel’- Conspiración Internacional por la Venganza, Federación Anarquista Informal”. http://alturl.com/82fwq
11) Alemania (Berlin): 8 de april de 2014, incendio de vehículos de
autoridad municipal y de empresa de seguridad. 24 de abril de 2014, incendio de un vehículo de la embajada perteneciente a una diplomática griega. Reivindicado por “Célula Autónoma ‘Christos Kassimis'”. http://alturl.com/8h8wt
12) Indonesia: 16 de abril de 2014, incendio de dos oficinas del comité de elecciones generales, en Sulawesi. 19 de abril de 2014, incendio de una sucursal de la empresa nacional de electricidad en Madiun, en el este de Java. 23 de abril de 2014, colocación de artefacto incendiario en la Compañía Nacional de Electricidad en Semarang, en Java Central. 28 de abril de 2014, sabotaje de dos automóviles que estaban programados para el transporte de las papeletas de votación en la región del sudeste de Minahasa, en Manado, la capital provincial. 5 y 8 de mayo de 2014, ataque en tres plantas de energía en tres lugares diferentes. Acciones reivindicadas por la “Conspiración Internacional para la Venganza (CIV), Federación Anarquista Informal (FAI), Frente Revolucionario Internacional (FRI). http://alturl.com/8h8wt
13) Italia: 7 de mayo de 2014. Instalación de artefacto incendiario en una estación de gasolina y sabotaje a través de cortes en mangueras abastecedoras del combustible. Reivindicado por “Conspiración del Fuego Negro–FAI/FRI”. http://alturl.com/8h8wt
14) Inglaterra (Bristol): 10 de junio de 2014. Incendios contra la infraestructura de 7 antenas de célular, reivindicado por “Cables con corriente FAI/FLT”. http://alturl.com/8h8wt
15) República Checa (Olomouc): 26 de marzo. Ataque incendiario contra patrulla policial, reivindicado por “Célula Poesía de Fuego FAI/FRI”. http://alturl.com/6dm3g
16) Chile (Santiago): 07 de abril de 2015. Ataque con artefacto incendiario contra la empresa de explotación animal Ganadera Río Bueno, reivindicado por la “Célula Anarquista de Ataque Incendiario ‘Fuego y Conciencia’- Federación Anarquista Informal/Frente Revolucionario Internacional (FAI/FRI). http://alturl.com/4up67
17) Chile (Santiago): Enero 2016. Ataque con artefacto incendiario contra empresa de seguridad privada. Reivindicado por la “Célula Anarquista de Ataque Incendiario ‘Fuego y Conciencia’- Federación Anarquista Informal/Frente Revolucionario Internacional (FAI/FRI). http://alturl.com/5ecf9
18) Reino Unido (Bristol): 28 de junio de 2016. Ataque incendiario contra depósito de vehículos de la policía. Reivindicado como “Célula de Lluvia-FAI/FRI”. http://alturl.com/do2ip
Para más información sobre los objetivos que dan vida al “Proyecto Fénix”, ver el siguiente video: https://vimeo.com/125059680
¡SOLIDARIDAD CON ACCIÓN MULTIFORME CONTRA TODA FORMA DE AUTORIDAD!
Tags: Andreas Tsavdaridis, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Greece, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), Korydallos Prison, Phoenix Project, Spyros Mandylas, Trial
Posted in Social Control
Political statement of Panagiotis Argyrou for the trial for the escape attempt in 2015 (Greece)
Friday, July 22nd, 2016
Political statement of Panagiotis Argyrou for the trial for the escape attempt
Looking back…
“We’re given our life only once, like a unique chance. It’s never going to exist again, at least in this autonomous form. And what do we do with it instead of living it? What do we do? We drag it from place to place, killing it…” (Hronis Missios)
The courts have a unit of their own to count life and freedom by; a unit that uses types and algorithms of the legal language to say what’s fair or unfair, right or wrong, normal or in decline. And in this process where lives and freedoms are being put in the balance of the law, you’re sometimes given the chance to look back; you feel guilty or you don’t. It’s an important moment because whatever you say might pour some more cement around you, it might increase the amount of those moments where the door opens up and closes, perhaps it makes your ear get used even more to the sound of the key turning into the door’s slot, enough to make you think you’ve always been hearing this sound, that there was no morning or evening you didn’t hear this sound at a certain pre-arranged time.
So here we are… For five and a half years I‘ve been hearing that key. Five and a half years that my eyes crash onto the walls. Five and a half years with two sentences (37 and 19 years) and another two coming. And now here in this trial one more. This will be the fifth trial in a row where I wait “to see what will happen to me” or for “my laughter to turn to crying“. And it is again the moment to put a mirror in front of the past and my choices and look back. So I look…
Tags: Athens, CCF Escape case, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Greece, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Revolutionary Front, Korydallos Prison, Letter, Panagiotis Argyrou, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle
CCF Escape Case: Statement of Athena Tsakalou to the court (Greece)
Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
Below is the statement of Athena Tsakalou (the mother of CCF anarchist prisoners Christos Tsakalos and Gerasimos Tsakalos) which was read out in Koridallos prison court by her defense lawyer in late June 2016, while the CCF escape case trial was still underway.
I haven’t chosen silence, even though it expresses me on many occasions because everyone interprets silence as it suits them. I’ve preferred to make this personal statement. And I call it personal because I don’t belong anywhere; I only belong to myself.
There comes a moment when you take a look back at the years in your life, and you realise you’ve left to live far fewer than the years you’ve already lived; that is, if everything goes well. And this is a strange but intense sensation, which makes me ask myself to be sincere. Not in the simple way we often think about it, but in an essential, deeper way.
I don’t like to say: where is this world going? It’s something that we – people at an older age – often do, but such a phrase conceals some sort of innocence that I refuse to accept. I prefer to ask myself: how do you yourself walk through this world?
And the truth is that all I want is to walk among people in a consolatory manner. It’s very important to be able to console people, especially your own people; to be able to tell them when they’re going through tough times: I’m standing by you; I’ll always stick with you. Nothing else. This is my only desire, and I’m glad whenever I’m able to do that.
So when Angeliki knocked on the door of my home, that’s exactly what I did. And it was a great pleasure for me that I was able to offer her refuge, even if only for a short while. The way the world is, the only place I want to live in is the place of defiance.
Assuming that, throughout the centuries, people have intended to live, if not a life of happiness, at least a joyful life, their history to date shows that they’ve failed. History books, either the official, inspected ones, or the secret ones that it’s hard to come by, show that people have failed. It may be that the conditions for survival or living standards got better – although ‘better’ is relative, as this is not the case in some parts of the earth – but the pain, the horror of wars, of hunger and oppression continue to rise.
Of course there’s a difference; a nightmarish difference. Nowadays, death is no longer caused just by hand-to-hand combat on the battlefields where, even from a distance determined by a firearm, you’re able to see the falling body and hear the cry of pain, and regardless of how much dehumanised you’ve become, this sight and sound leaves a peculiar imprint within you that, at some point, might make you not want war anymore. On today’s battlefields, we find ourselves in the era of smart bombs, and one is able to retain ‘their innocence’ by pressing a button which brings mass death; that’s the difference.
For some time now, more than 10,000 refugee children who were travelling unaccompanied have disappeared in Europe over the past 18–24 months. There are fears that many of them have fallen victim to exploitation by organised crime networks…
The world’s 62 richest people hold as much wealth as half the population on the planet…
The earth’s products are enough to feed its entire population, yet millions of people, millions of children die of hunger.
Some very few, like these 62 wealthiest people in the world, might say: ‘all this stuff about a joyful life is nothing but a trap set for the many to be lured into it, because the whole deal with the world is a game, a game of death. It’s not just the money that matters; besides, we have plenty of that; what really matters is the ability to use our power to play games with the entire world; all of a sudden, to drive thousands of people to death; to scare entire populations with wars, famine and diseases when we’re bored; because that’s also up to us, to cause diseases, thanks to scientists. In some sense, we’re a kind of gods; and gods are always almighty.’
And this is true, but it’s also true that there are no gods without believers. Gods cannot just live all by themselves; they want their faithful to walk quietly around their gardens, ready to execute their orders – all of their orders, even if it means killing one another. However, there are always those whose blood is resided by the first rebellion of Eve and Adam.
And it’s about time we said: after so much human blood watering the earth’s soil every day, after all this lament filling the earth’s air, if there’s no change of course for the human species, if the human mind isn’t crossed by a lightning at some point, so that we see everything differently… then indeed it’d be a brave decision if people eventually said: ‘for so many centuries, we’ve been unable to find joy; we might as well admit that as a species we aren’t capable of something like this; we might as well admit our failure and leave calmly; let us be the last of the humans; let us admit that only trees deserve life, continuity, eternity as they’re free of the instinct of war, of horror.’
Lately all I want to do is plant trees. And someone might ask me: but is this truly your deepest desire? No, I haven’t done well; I’m still determined by the ability to see as far as my eye can see, to keep my mind off things by taking pleasure in small joys; but when I open the eye of my mind to a worldwide wandering, a worldwide looking, and I see how small a share joy has in people’s lives, I say once more: if the dream doesn’t enter people’s lives, if there’s no change of course for the human species, only trees deserve continuity, life, eternity.
Athena Tsakalou
– via contrainfo
Tags: Athena Tsakalou, Athens, CCF Escape case, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Greece, Korydallos Prison, Letter, Trial
Posted in Cognitive Liberty
Political Statement of Aggeliki Spyropoulou on the trial regarding the CCF escape plan (Greece)
Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
“Justice was born when we lost control over our lives”
Bruno Filippi
My political status and conscience would never allow me to be standing here “apologizing” before a fixed trial-parody as played out recently in this court hall, hence the comments I am about to make will therefore relate to a purely political sphere rather than a procedural one. Political action neither begins nor ends under the Criminal Code, consequently in any case you, both as individuals and as an institution, are not able to judge it.
As anarchists, being against the state, we have to oppose the laws that underlie and justify its existence.
But what is the law?
Nothing more than a set of rules that define right and wrong, good and bad, moral and immoral. It is a “guide” of social behavior aiming to enforce the choice of allegiance and for the maintenance of power through the fear of sanctions for any deviation from the permissible, the legal…
It is “fair”, indeed, that the banks constitute themselves as global loan sharks, but it is “unfair” to blow them up in the air with a strong dose of explosives. In this case, they are renamed as “charities” and “your” justice metes out life-sentences …
It is “fair”, that the governments constantly bomb civilians within the framework of the so-called “humanitarian” war, but it is “unfair” to execute those liable for the deaths of thousands …
A game of words forming the collective imagination, elevating the doctrine of “law and order” to the utmost virtue, aiming solely to preserve the existing authoritarian system.
The dominant world which you protect and preserve promotes and imposes a structured life, the manifestations of which oppress, enslave and limit the capabilities of human existence.
The behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships, are transformed into mechanical processes that shape what is called normality or social norm. The lifestyle you suggest to me is summarised to a miserable repetition, specified and without any twists. A boring course of a pointless existence that just waits to be interrupted by death.
But I do not fit into your world. I can not stand this perfectly organized boredom.
All those moments at night, just before you fall asleep when you are smoking the last cigarette and you evaluate the day that passed… The smoke gets mixed with your thoughts and you end up at the last puff… Your day was not enough… The feeling of dissatisfaction is overwhelming and breathtaking … “I can not live like this …”, “I do not want to live like this.” You fall asleep while the same words keep coming in your head…
The new day is to bring you face to face with the reality and the time has come to make your choices… I have chosen to live rather than to survive… Instead of the safety of normality, I have chosen to begin a journey into the unknown where every single moment conceals its own surprises. Where the tension comes to replace the weakness.
The need that burns within me makes me refuse the uniformity that your legitimacy stipulates and led me to a continuous process of rebellion to escape from such narrow limits of the social-prison. During this journey, the time is reset. Our clocks stopped at the time of the attack. No more “triggers” are needed. We stopped taking into account the “must”. The costs, the consequences…
There is one goal; to maximize the threat, to create a dangerous internal enemy that will strike at the heart of your system. This journey is lonely and often you are confronted with your own self, with your own personal contradictions. This is a war that starts from within yourself and surges impetuously against every expression of your modern civilized world. In this war that as anarchists we have declared against you – and we have not refused it a minute; there are no neutral attitudes.
The comrades of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, despite their long captivity, they did not retreat. They refused to bow down their heads and embrace the cross of remorse. They defended with all their powers and with dignity their anarchist substance. While, therefore, I am not a member of the Conspiracy, our common political conscience allies us. We share the same values, the same ideas and the same passion for freedom. The political bonds that link us could not but make me stand beside them with solidarity.
Solidarity is not just an emotionally charged word.
Solidarity carves insurrectionary directions and prevents forgetfulness from becoming the tombstone of the captured comrades. At this point is when guilt is born. What could be a more authentic and sincerest manifestation of solidarity to these comrades than to contribute morally and practically to the breaking of their captivity? I can only feel proud that I participated in the attempted escape of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire and no court is competent to judge my choice.
The prison, besides, is a stopping point for anyone who decides to arm his/her desires and refusals. At this point, the contradictions begin… We love freedom so much and we get stuck in the prison… We love life passionately and at the same time we flirt with death every single minute. If the prison is meant to “civilise” ourselves, you should know that the walls and the locks nourish us with anger and the desire for revenge grows… We can fail, but we can not bow down … This is not about the beginning and certainly not about the end of the story, but it is about the journey and this is where the whole beauty is found…
For these reasons, and for all the reasons in the world, I proudly and without a trace of remorse, undertake the responsibility for my practical political contribution to the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire escape plan. No matter how many times I would turn the clock back I would make the same choice again and again.
Aggeliki Spyropoulou
Women’s Prison of Korydallos
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Imprisoned anarchist comrade Aggeliki Spyropoulou was sentenced to 28 years in prison for her involvement in the 2015 escape attempt of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire. The comrade will shortly be transferred to Thiva prison from Korydallos now that the trial is over.
Tags: Aggeliki Spyropoulou, Athens, CCF Escape case, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Greece, Korydallos Prison, Trial
Posted in Cognitive Liberty
Political declaration of Spyros Mandylas in the trial for the 1st police raid on Nadir Squat, Thessaloniki (Greece)
Tuesday, July 12th, 2016
Political declaration of Spyros Mandylas
Trial for the 1st invasion of the cops in Nadir squat
P.J.= President Judge
S.M.= Spyros Mandylas
P.J.: Tell us about those that you are accused of. What do you have to declare?
S.M.: At first, before saying anything else, I want to mention that the girl Ks. K., who has been arrested with me, has nothing to do with the case. For my own choices it’s only me who will take the blame. I met Ks. on my way to Nadir and because the cops wanted to do the invasion when I would have been inside the squat, she was arrested with me. I highlight this, from the beginning, in order to consider it.
As for the accusations. I accept some of them and some not.
But before I start talking about these I would like to say something about Nadir squat. I claim the political responsibility for Nadir from 2004 until today. The political actions of Nadir all these years are many and different. We have done events, discussions, bars, we have organized protests, we were hosting the radio station of radio-revolt, we have done a variety of actions in the city and we have published some books. (more…)
Tags: Nadir Squat, Phoenix Project, Spyros Mandylas, Thessaloniki, Trial
Posted in Social Control
Koridallos prison, Athens: Summary of sentences in the CCF escape case trial (Greece)
Saturday, July 9th, 2016
On July 8th 2016, the Koridallos prison court – presided over by special judge Asimina Yfanti – convicted all members of the anarchist revolutionary organisation Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, who were accused of placing an explosive device at Koridallos tax office; sending a parcel bomb to the police station in Itea (in retaliation for the murder of inmate Ilir Kareli by prison guards); sending a letter bomb to the home of Dimitris Mokkas (special appellate judge against terrorism); planning an armed escape from Koridallos prison (dubbed “Gorgopotamos project”); and possession of firearms, explosives and anti-tank RPGs with the purpose of “disrupting the country’s social, economic and political life.” Furthermore, in relation to these charges, they were convicted of “direction of a terrorist organisation” and incitement (“moral instigation”) to four attempted homicides.
During the sentencing, there was a strong presence of comrades in solidarity with the anarchists and the dignified individuals co-accused in the CCF escape case trial. There was also heavy police presence (including an anti-riot squad).
CCF members:
The ten CCF anarchist prisoners Gerasimos Tsakalos, Christos Tsakalos, Giorgos Polidoros, Olga Ekonomidou, Theofilos Mavropoulos, Panagiotis Argirou, Giorgos Nikolopoulos, Michalis Nikolopoulos, Damiano Bolano, Haris Hadjimihelakis were sentenced to 115 years in prison each.
Comrade Angeliki Spyropoulou:
The anarchist prisoner Angeliki Spyropoulou was sentenced to 28 years in prison.
Relatives of CCF members:
Athena Tsakalou (the mother of CCF members Gerasimos Tsakalos and Christos Tsakalos) and Evi Statiri (the partner of Gerasimos Tsakalos) were found not guilty by a majority opinion (instead of a unanimous verdict).
However, Christos Polidoros (the brother of CCF member Giorgos Polidoros) was convicted of “membership in the terrorist organisation Conspiracy of Cells of Fire” and received a 6-year suspended sentence.
Other prison sentences & a couple of acquittals:
Christos Rodopoulos (nicknamed “Iasonas” by authorities), who has denied all charges, was sentenced to 75 years in prison.
Christodoulos Xiros (convicted 17N member) was sentenced to 65 years in prison.
Four other defendants were convicted of alleged membership in the organisation and sentenced to 27-28 years in prison each.
Fabio Dusko was sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Four other defendants were acquitted of membership in the organisation but received a 6-year suspended sentence.
Two other defendants were found guilty of misdemeanor offenses.
Two defendants were found not guilty.
– via contrainfo
Tags: Aggeliki Spyropoulou, Athena Tsakalou, Athens, CCF Escape case, Christodoulos Xiros, Christos Polydoros, Christos Rodopoulos, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire, Conspiracy of Cells of Fire : Imprisoned Members Cell, Evi Statiri, Greece, Informal Anarchist Federation (FAI), International Revolutionary Front, Korydallos Prison, Trial
Posted in Prison Struggle