25/01/12
Green Anarachist prisoners Marco Camenisch, Silvia Guerini and Luca (Billy) Bernasconi have gone on hunger strike in protest against the World Economic Forum in Davos. Supports handed out a flier during the demo against the WEF in Bern on January 21st, 2012. Here is part of the leaflet text:
“The three green anarchists imprisoned in Swiss prisons decided to join the week of mobilization against the World Economic Forum, which will be held in Switzerland during these days. Marco and Silvia are conducting a hunger strike for 10 days (January 20th–30th, 2012). Billy is abstaining from prison food and refusing to work (working is compulsory in Swiss prisons), in order to protest against the WEF, but also as a response to their prison conditions, more precisely for the liberation of Marco Camenisch in May 2012 and against the glass separator during the visits of friends."
See Contra Info for more and the soon to be released translated text of the prisoners' communique.
14/01/12
Both Leah Henderson and Mandy Hiscocks have been sentenced for their alleged roles in organising the Toronto G20 protests.
Leah was sentenced on December 20th to 10 months in prison for one count of Counselling Mischief over $5,000. This is after one and a half years of restrictive bail conditions, house arrest and jail.
Mandy in turn was sentenced on 13th January to 20-24 month for one count count of Counselling to Commit Mischief and Counseling to Obstruct Police. With 31 days in pretrial custody and harsh bail conditions taken into account, Mandy’s remaining time to serve is 16 months.
30/07/11
Following a plea deal, six of the seventeen people identified by the Canadian state as members of the so-called G20 Main Conspiracy Group pled guilty to counseling charges for organising to disrupt the Toronto G20 summit in June, 2010. Erik Lankin, Adam Lewis and Peter Hopperton were sentenced to 3-5.5 months on November 28. Details of the sentence dates of the remaining three and background info/links to the case can be found on our prisoners pages.
30/07/11
Climate activist Tim DeChristopher has been sentenced to two years in prison. He was taken into immediate custody and denied the typical 3 weeks afforded to put his affairs in order and say goodbye to his friends and family. This is just the latest element in what was clearly a political trial, one where prosecutors wanted the court to make an example of him in order to deter further such actions, citing his activities as justification in this stance, whilst the judge refused DeChristopher the opportunity to air those same views and motivations in his own defence.
25/07/11
Costa Ragusa, Billy Bernasconi and Silvia Guerini, three anarchist arrested in April last year, were sentenced at the Federal Criminal Court in Bellinzona, Switzerland on charges of “conspiracy to commit arson” and “illegal trafficking of explosives” stemming from an attempted attack on an IBM nanotechnology lab.
The charge of “illegal transport of explosives” fell apart since there was no solid evidence to corroborate any smuggling from Italy. Nevertheless, our comrades were sentenced to longer prison terms than those requested by the prosecutor.
Costa, 34, was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, the longest sentence after the prosecution had labeled him the 'criminal mastermind' behind the planned attack. Billy, 26, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, plus 22 days from a prior sentence and Silvia, 29, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
Each of the three sentences will be reduced by one year and three months, the amount of time the three had spent in pretrial detention.
12/07/11
Six comrades were recently found guilty in a trial for an alleged antifascist conspiracy. Two remain unsentenced at the time of posting and another potential trial of other comrades is outstanding so we are unable to elaborate on the case. We therefore ask anyone writing to the prisoners not to speculate about this in their communications with the six as letters may be read.
They are complaining about the poor food in the Scrubs, so would no doubt appreciate the odd postal order or cheque (made out to 'HMP Prison Service' [previously had to be made out to 'the governor'], with the prisoner's name and number together with your name on the back) to help supplement their diets from the prison canteen. Books can be sent from Amazon or directly from any other book distributor/shop. [see our advice on writing & sending things to prisoners]
UPDATE: Austen & Thomas have now been sentenced. [08/09/11]
Andy Baker (21 months)
A5768CE
HMP Highpoint,
Stradishall,
Newmarket,
Suffolk,
CR8 9YG [as of 9 August]
Thomas Blak (18 months)
A5728CE
HMP Wormwood Scrubs
PO Box 757
Du Cane Rd
London
W12 OAE
Sean Cregan (21 months)
A5769CE
HMP Coldingley,
Shaftesbury Road,
Bisley, Woking,
Surrey GU24 9EX [as of 5 August]
Phil De Sousa (21 months)
A5766CE
HMP Elmley
Church Road
Eastchurch
Sheerness
Kent
ME12 4DZ [as of 6 August]
Ravinder Gill (21 months)
A5770CE
HMP Wayland,
Griston,
Thetford,
Norfolk,
IP25 6RL [as of 9 August]
Austen Jackson (15 months)
A5729CE
HMP Stocken
Stocken Hall Road
Stretton
Nr. Oakham
Rutland
LE15 7RD [as of 26 August]
05/07/11
On the 24 June the Khimki city court sentenced Maxim Solopov to a two years suspended sentence, with two years probation for “hooliganism” (statute 213, paragraph 2 of Russian criminal codex) but acquitted Alexei Gaskarov of all charges. Anti-fascist activists and 'Khimki hostages' Alexei Gaskarov and Maxim Solopov were accused of organising a demonstration in the Moscow Suburb of Khimki on 28 July 2010 against the construction of the Moscow-St. Petersburg toll highway. The judge in the case found that Solopov had thrown stones and fired off an air pistol during the demonstration but is seeking leave to appeal.
Alexei Gaskarov is pressing for rehabilitation and a monetary compensation for the three months he spent in remand prison. Much of the evidence in the trail was tainted, with at least on witness withdrawing their police statement claiming that it was extracted under undue psychological pressure during her interrogations. Much of the rest of the evidence presented appeared to have been fabricated, contradictory or copied from the same source.
Another Russian anti-fascist Denis Solopov, brother of Maxim Solopov is currently under arrest in Kiev awaiting extradition and is currently challenging a decision by the migration service in Kiev not to give him a refugee status in Ukraine.
http://avtonom.org/en/news/one-khimki-hostage-acquired-another-one-got-2-years-suspended-sentence
25/06/11
On the 27th of May, judge Zhanna Khvoynitskaya sentenced the Belarusian anarchists Ihar Alinevich, Mikalaj Dziadok, Aliaksandar Frantskievich, Maxim Vetkin and Yeveni Slivonchik. The young men were accused of a number of political actions, amongst which was the attack against the Russian embassy in Minsk in August of 2010.
Ihar Alinevich was accused of attacks against the Russian Embassy and Belarusbank ("Property destruction with intent", statute 218 paragraph 3 of the Belarusian Criminal Codex), an attack against the remand prison of Minsk (also statute 218, paragraph 2), an attack against a Casino and an illegal demonstration at the military headquarters ("Aggravated hooliganism", statute 339 paragraph 2 of Belarusian criminal codex). The prosecutor asked for a 9 year sentence in hard regime, eventually he received 8 years of hard regime (1).
Mikalaj Dziadok was sentenced for actions against a Casino, the military headquarters and a state-controlled trade union, all considered "aggravated hooliganism". The prosecutor demanded a 6 year sentence of hard regime, he received 4.5 years of hard regime.
Aliaksandr Frantskievich was sentenced for actions against state-controlled trade union, military headquarters and a police station at Soligorsk, all considered "aggravated hooliganism", and also against defacing website of city of Novopolotsk ("Electronic sabotage", "Illegal access to electronic information", "Development, using or spreading malware" (statute 349 paragraph 2, statute 351 paragraph 2, statute 354 of Belarusian criminal codex). Prosecutor demanded a 5 year sentence, eventually he received 3 years of hard regime.
Screenshots of the action are available here:
http://belarus.indymedia.org/20141
Maxim Vetkin was sentenced for the actions taken at the BelarusBank and the Russian Embassy in Minsk. He has been cooperating with the investigation and giving testimony against the others. He was given a 4 year sentence in a low-security prison according to the prosecutor's demands. He has been temporarily released.
Yevgeni Silivonchik was sentenced to 1.5 years in open regime prison for the attack in Soligorsk. He has also cooperating with the investigation and giving testimony against the other accused.
The accused have to compensate 100 million Belarusian rubles (around 20,000 dollars) in criminal damages to the respective institutions.
Alinevich, Dziadok and Frantskievich have been denying their involvement, with the exception of the action at the military headquarters. They are considering appealing their sentences, but the appeal court may hand out even more severe sentences. The Strasbourg court is not an option for the Belarusians, as Belarus is excluded from the Council of Europe.
Anarchist Black Cross of Belarus considers the sentences politically motivated, and the charges unproven. Besides this, all of the actions for which the accused were sentenced, may be considered non-violent. No living being was hurt as a consequence of the actions. Most of the attacks were merely symbolical, and material damage was insignificant.
Reports from each day of the court are available on Belarussian Indymedia and at: http://www.avtonom.org/en/freebelarus.
"Defying the law", a documentary on the investigation and the court cases against the Belarusian anarchists is available here: http://rutube.ru/tracks/4469719.html
A version with English subtitles will be available in few days.
1. hard regime means less allowances in terms of visits, mails, and packages and other "privileges"
[Anarchist Black Cross Belarus]
Addition from ABC Moscow:
On the 18th of May, another “Anarchist case” ended in Belarus – Yawgen Vaskovich, Paval Syramalotaw and Artsyom Prakapyenka were each given 7 year sentences for a direct action against the KGB building in the city of Bobruysk. A problem with this case has been that although media perceived the three as anarchists, none of them had any connections to the existing anarchist movement and thus attempts to contact someone close to them and provide them with support prior to the court dates failed. Hopefully, support may be provided during their lengthy prison sentences.
12/05/11
Gabriel Pombo da Silva's cell in the Aachen prison has been raided. All of his CDs, DVDs and postcards with political slogans were taken away. Furthermore, they took his free weights (which were approved), as well as his typewriter. In addition, personal photos were taken from him. No specific reasons were given. His lawyer has been informed.
Gabriel is very angry and would appreciate support.
Write to him:
Gabriel Pombo da Silva
JVA Aachen
Krefeld Str 251
52070 Aachen
14/04/11
Were you at the student demos in December 2010 or the 26th March anti-cuts demo?
Did you witness anyone being arrested?
Did you film or photograph any arrests?
Many people are now facing criminal charges and we urgently need to find witnesses to help in their defence.
Please get in touch now: ldmgmail@yahoo.co.uk
Legal Defence & Monitoring Group
Website: www.ldmg.org.uk
Postal address: LDMG, C/o BM Haven, London WC1N 3XX
International Day of Action for Jock Palfreeman
22/12/10
www.anarchistsolidarity.wordpress.com
Background
- Jock Palfreeman is a 23 year old Australian who had the courage to stand up against 16 Nazis on a night out in Sofia, Bulgaria. He witnessed the fascists chasing and attacking two young Roma boys. Jock ran to the boys' aid, he did his best to keep the Nazis at bay by waving a knife at them but they attacked him. Jock was left with nowhere to run and had no choice but to defend himself. One of the Nazis was stabbed and killed and another was injured. The Roma boys ran away.
Jock has since been tried and sentenced for murder and attempted murder. He has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and has been fined £220,000. [More details of his case can be found below or at www.freejock.com.]
What you can do:
-write to Jock – letters help him survive this difficult time and keep his spirits high:
Jock Palfreeman,
Sofia Central Prison, 21 General Stoletov Boulevard,
Sofia 1309, BULGARIA
- Organise solidarity actions outside Bulgarian embassies, consulates, etc.- use your creativity !
-Write messages of protest to Bulgarian authorities. We include sample letter, but you are welcome to write your own message.
Sample message:
To whom it may concern
We are writing in regards to Australian national Jock Palfreeman currently imprisoned in Bulgaria. Palfreeman had been sentenced to 20 years of prison for defending a passer-by and later on, himself from a vicious attack by a group of drunken football hooligans. As a result one of the attackers died and another got injured. Despite it being a clear case of self-defence and his version of events being supported by numerous witnesses, his trial was a farce. Anything working in favour of his defence was completely ignored by the judge.
We demand that Bulgarian authorities grant him appeal and that he will be acquitted of murder charges. We will be watching the next actions of the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice. We will not rest until Jock Palfreeman will get his appeal and acquitted from those absurd charges.
Addresses to send your protests:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
Address: 2, Aleksandar Zhendov Str., Sofia 1040, Bulgaria
Tel.: +359 2 948 2999
Information, Public Relations and European Communication Directorate
Director: Sofia Vladimirova
Tel.: +359 2 971 14 08, 971 37 78, 948 22 18
Fax: +359 2 870 30 41
e-mail: iprd@mfa.government.bg
Ministry's Reception Desk
Tel.: +359 2 948 20 18, 971 10 54
In the work days from 9.30 to 12.00 h and from 14.00 to 16.00 h
Ministry of Justice:
pr@justice.government.bg
22/02/11
We have just heard that Jock Palfreeman has lost his appeal case against his 20-year jail sentence for killing a Nazi in self defence...
He has 14 days to appeal. More information on his case is given above.
You can sign a petiton in support of Jock here:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/freejock/
https://avtonom.org/en/node/14664
Jock's statement following the decision:
To say I’m disappointed would be an understatement. But I am not disappointed in the Monov family’s demands for unjustified punishment. I am disappointed in the judges and legal structure that seems to have the moral backbones of jellyfish. When I saw the 15 men attack the two homeless men, I was presented with a choice. Stand back and let the injustice continue or intervene in an attempt to save human life. The Sofia city court and the Sofia court of appeal were all presented with a much easier choice than that. Their choice was not one that could result in their own deaths as mine was. Yet still they chose to take the easy way. They chose to bow to the political pressure from the Bulgarian Socialist Party and it’s bureaucrats that float around the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice like bad smell. Although this latest decision keeps me with a 20-year prison sentence, it is useful as evidence to show the depth and width of corruption in the Bulgarian courts and justice system. As disheartening as this blatantly corrupt decision is, we all must take encouragement from the 10 neutral witnesses who did have the moral backbone to come forward and tell the truth. Also from the 5 police who too eventually told the truth despite overwhelming pressures from their superiors. To all those who fight against racism, nationalism, corruption and injustice, I tell you not to loose focus or direction. Do not loose hope. Those who wish to hide the shame that the 15 skinheads brought on Bulgaria have only been successful in increasing it and legalizing it. Ironically Andrei Monov was not ashamed of his nationalism and I doubt he would have lied about actions he and his family are clearly proud of. “Bulgaria for Bulgarians” was what Dr Monov said he and his son believed in. “Defending the underdog” is what I believe in, be it Bulgaria or Bangladesh. The supreme court of appeal will not remedy the injustice. The head judge of the supreme court of appeal was even present at Andrei Monovs funeral. My prison sentence although outrageous, will be served easier now that the evidence is overwhelmingly in concurrence with my statements and that I know I was correct in opposing racism in it’s most disgusting form, violence. My gratitude to my family, friends and comrades who have not supported me as an individual but supported me based on the evidence in my case and the reason for my involvement with the 15 skinheads.
Jock Palfreeman
30/07/11
Bulgaria’s Supreme Court of Cassation dismissed a second and possibly final bid by Jock Palfreeman to have his 20-year sentence for murder overturned, upholdong the original verdict and sentence. Lawyers for the Palfreeman family now say they may look to taking the matter to the European Courts.
