Received on 29.10.15 (slightly edited for clarity):
On Tuesday 27 a court case was held where it was decided if they extend the pre-trial detention of Monica and Francisco or to release them on bail pending trial. Bail was rejected and their detention has been extended.
Although the Spanish legislation provides for two years as the maximum time a person can remain in pre-trial detention, the State has the possibility to extend it (arguing some sort of exception in the case) beyond two years, and has done so.
Two years ago, on 13 November 2013 the two comrades were arrested along with three others. Monica and Francisco are awaiting trial on charges of belonging to a terrorist organization and conspiracy to cause havoc.
The same day as the court's resolution, 9 more anarchists were detained in a new blow to the anarchist movement. In Barcelona and Manresa ten warrants were served on houses and social spaces.
Despite this we just have to roll with the punches and keep going, showing our comrades that they are not alone and that our solidarity will not cease.
THEY CAN ARREST US, BUT CANNOT STOP US!
FREEDOM FOR ALL ANARCHIST PRISONERS!
SOLIDARITY WITH THE ARRESTED!
WE WANT OUR COMRADES IN THE STREET NOW!
Nineteen members of the anarchist group Rouvikonas were arrested on Monday following the occupation of the building housing the political office of Independent Greeks, a far-right political party that's part of the current coalition government. According to witnesses, nearby streets were blocked by police vans while riot police guarded all entrances into the building. The arrestees are indicted on misdemeanor charges for disturbing the peace and illegal space occupation, while their reluctance to have their photographs taken could result in charges of disobedience.
Excerpts of the announcement made by the anarchist group follow below:
''The majority, the weak, those who are always paying the price are called once again to contribute to the exit from a crisis created by the segregation of wealth in the hands of a minority. Since 2010 people have endured an unprecedented violation of basic rights won through struggles and sacrifices. The government policies leading to unemployment, starvation salaries, extreme taxation and impoverishment, aim to enforce regulations that will benefit the capital and increase the earnings of a domestic and foreign elite. The government presented these policies as inevitable, necessary and a duty.
We already went through the first memorandum imposed by the PASOK government, by politicians who had publicly stated that ''there is enough money''. Then followed the second memorandum of the coalition government PASOK-New Democracy who had promised a hard negotiation with the loan sharks. Finally, the third memorandum was introduced by the Syriza-Independent Greeks coalition government, despite their promise to ''tear the memorandum''. The president of the Independent Greeks had specifically and emphatically said that he will not tolerate the imposition of new taxes but he obviously changed his mind after the elections.
(...)
The capitalist system will always find new tricks when the old ones are no longer effective for the promotion of its own interests. We witnessed the management of the state authority by different political parties in succession, parties that initially appeared as the saviours of the people but essentially served the interests of the capital. The latest trick is the Syriza-Independent Greeks coalition government that's been branded as pro-grassroots. But its role was always the same: to mitigate social struggles, which could not be done by authority-worn political parties. When the current government fails, the tactic of universal management is to be deployed next. The first signs of universal management are revealed in the votes in favour of the third memorandum by the entire political system and the ongoing pleas of New Democracy towards Syriza to form a coalition government (before the elections).
The hypocrisy is apparent in the position of Independent Greeks as well as Syriza, which for years seemed to be having irreconcilable differences only to forget everything overnight in the prospect of gaining and sharing power.
The role of Independent Greeks in this government is on the one hand to reassure the most conservative segments of society through various communicational absurdities such as the prevention of building a mosque in Eleonas area, the dropping of a flower wreath above Imia and the tragicomic ceremony in Salamis. On the other hand, on the level of geopolitics, Independent Greeks are to reassure the U.S., the E.U. and the N.A.T.O. with positive remarks on the creation of a new N.A.T.O. base in the Aegean and the provision of support to the Ukrainian state via the healthcare treatment of Ukrainian nazi paramilitaries in Greek military hospitals.
At the same time, as the lives of workers are becoming more difficult, so the lives of imprisoned fighters are worsening through the implementation of unprecedented harsh measures that even the military jounta did not implement.
Specifically, the mothers, sisters and wives of fighters are put in jail and even after release they are ostracized in islands -Athena Tsakalou is forced to remain within the limits of Salamina island- or are forced to live within the confines of an imaginary barbed-wire 1km away from their homes- such as the case of Evi Statiri's conditional release.
It's obvious that these decisions are political in their nature and judicial in their position, which is why we DEMAND the cancellation of the restrictive conditions imposed upon Athena Tsakalou and Evi Statiri and the release of Maria Theofilou, wife of G.Petrakakos. We also DEMAND the immediate release of polytrauma patient Savvas Xiros and the immediate granting of educational furloughs to the student Nikos Romanos.
In today's political circumstances speaking about solutions and finding ways out seems difficult. Whatever course of action is chosen if this deviates from the one determined by the centres of power of the ruling classs, we are to face a ruthless war. We think that in this stage, people and society in general, must fulfill their part in the context of class war, which must be intensified.
On the financial level, refusing to pay and opposing unfair taxes and measures such as the property tax ENFIA, the ''solidarity'' contribution and the house auctions of citizens' first home, is a weapon whose co-ordinated use by large segments of society can destabilize the state and its mechanisms.''
NO NEGOTIATION WITH THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL CAPITAL
RESIST THE NEW MEASURES
GET OUT ON THE STREETS
(via BlackCat)
From 6AM the Gossos* d'Esquadra (Catalan regional police) under orders from the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) raided private homes of anarchists and social spaces in Barcelona (Gracia, Sants and Sant Andreu neighborhood) and Manresa. According to corporate media poisoning the mass arrests are a continuation of Operation Pandora against what the police and the judges believe are the GAC (Coordinated Anarchist Groups) whom they accuse of being responsible for the attacks claimed by anarchist groups during the years 2012 and 2013. (It should be recalled that last year the State Attorney General stated that 'anarcho-terrorists' no longer have the capacity to attack.)
According to the media, there 9 or 10 detainees, and many others arrested including from the Ateneo Libertario de Sants.
The state is the only terrorist!
Freedom for the arrested anarchists!
*Note: Gosso is a Catalan word for dog. This is what we call the Catalan regional police.
(via ContraMadriz)
28.10.15: A police operation began at 7AM this morning raiding several homes and properties in the neighborhoods of Sants, Gràcia, Clot and Sant Andreu de Palomar in the city of Barcelona and Manresa. The police action was ordered by the Audiencia Nacional (National Court) and is a continuation of Operation Pandora, which led to the arrest of ten comrades and the preventative imprisonment of seven of them last December. Among the properties searched were Revoltosa social center on Rogent street in the Clot neighborhood and the l'Ateneu Llibertari de Sants on Maria Victoria street where ten police vans were in attendance. When the news was leaked, dozens of people demonstrated in solidarity and took to the streets of Sants marching behind a banner in support of the detainees. Minutes later as the demonstration reached Masnou street two vans of riot police arrived and proceeded to violently suppress the demonstration.
Searches also took place at a house on Perill street in the neighborhood of Gracia, a house in the neighborhood of Santos and other private homes in Sant Andreu de Palomar. Police made a total of 9 arrests. At every place police raided they encircled the whole street and impeded the free movement of the neighborhood. In details leaked to the press by the police they revealed that the operation led to the arrest of 9 people for the alleged crime of "belonging to a criminal organization with terrorist aims."
In response to the raid a call has gone out for demonstrations at 8:00PM at la Plaça del Diamant de la Vila de Gràcia.
(via Directa)
The following information comes to us via BlackCat; a sociologist, translator and writer from Greece.
Female relatives and partners of prisoners are still being targeted by the Greek state in an effort to isolate prisoners and repress solidarity movements. Women are seen as an 'easy target' whose repression facilitates the prevalence of a climate of fear impeding the struggles against injustice.
Maria Theofilou, the sister of anarchist communist author and political prisoner Tasos Theofilou was arrested and imprisoned despite the law passed by the so-called 'leftist' Syriza government decriminalizing family relations of political prisoners and despite the recent hunger strike staged by anarchist Evi Statiri. Evi Statiri was arrested and imprisoned under the same conditions as Maria with the excuse of family relations which are supposedly now decriminalized by law.
Maria has been in detention for over a month now because of her relationship with her partner G. Petrakakos and her brother Tasos. Maria was specifically asked about her incarcerated brother during her interrogation by police and then her detention was ordered.
No matter how cruel the repressive tactics used to create this climate of fear, people will resist as they are left with no other choice.
******
The counter-terrorism unit raided the home of the Theofilou family
The vengeful treatment of prisoners' families and relatives continues and the Theofilou family is at the epicenter of this tactic, despite the law reforms enacted by Minister of Justice Nicos Paraskevopoulos that forbid the criminalization of family relations.
On Monday, 5th of October, around 2pm, 7-8 men of the counter-terrorism unit intruded the residence of the parents of Tassos and Maria Theofilou, while other officers had remained outside.
According to Mrs. Theofilou, the men were conducting a search for four hours and were disrupting and destroying everything inside the rooms. They confiscated the family's personal computer, old mobile phones, keys and irrelevant documents such as addresses and phone numbers of friends of the family, as well as documents regarding the ownership of land and the correspondence between Maria and Tassos.
Because of the unexpected police raid, Mrs. Theofilou was forced to arrange for her two grandchildren (the children of Maria, aged two and four) to remain at a local park for four hours until the search was over.
The counter-terrorism units stated that the search was ordered by the 17th investigator who is in charge of the case of Tassos' sister. Maria was arrested, remanded and faces serious charges for participation in an unknown terrorist organization, without any incriminating evidence at hand, except her relationship to her partner and father of her children G. Petrakakos.
After Maria Theofilou's prosecution, her attorney, Spyros Phytrakis stated that the facts contained in the case file are not indicative that "we are dealing with a terrorist organization." In reference to the 36 year-old woman, he said:
"None of the added evidence proves that the two guns found in a wardrobe within the house were used by the woman, or that she was aware of them being kept there, or that she committed a delinquent act. Having two children with a man who has engaged in delinquency is not a crime. That was typical of a different time in the past. I hope that the interrogation will not cause problems to the woman and the two underage children."
A similar intrusion of the counter-terrorism unit took place at an empty house owned by the family in the city of Volos.
******
The International Society for Ethical Psychology and Psychiatry demands the release of detainee Maria Theofilou
Athens, 7th of October 2015
Dr. Argyris Argyriades
We have systematically clarfied that the penalization of family relations and their use to reinforce an indictment is a constitutional construct that characterizes totalitarian regimes. It constitutes the most barbaric institutional process and practice.
Another typical example is the new ''grand success'' of the police in the arrest and detention of Mrs Maria Theofilou, a young mother of two toddlers (aged two and four) who is indicted on charges of being an accomplice of her partner and father of her children. This is a flagrantly unlawful prosecution of a relative which has taken place despite the law prepared by Minister of Justice Nicos Paraskevopoulos, that forbids this kind of treatment against relatives.
We consider the violent removal of the mother away from her children a psychologically pressurizing event bearing traumatic consequences to the mother as well as the children, since it contributes to separation anxiety. The dependence of toddlers at the age of two and even four on their mother is a very normal response based on the instict of survival. Children internalize the safety that stems from the mother's love and care, a process that was disrupted abruptly in this case. As the counter-terrorism unit raided the home of Maria's parents, her mother was forced to arrange that the children stayed away at a local park for four hours, which only made the situation worse.
We insist once again that the case against Mrs Maria Theofilou is the practical expression of institutional retribution of justice. It is obvious that her prosecution and detention resulted from her family relations. According to anthropologists all people are relatives of each other, which is why Maria's case is relevant to all of us.
We demand the immediate release of Maria Theofilou in order for her to reunite with her two children.
******
The Initiative for Prisoners' Rights demands the release of Maria Theofilou
The life choice of a husband or the accidental fact of parental or any kind of relationship to defendants continues to amount to incriminating evidence and has become the focal point for the expression of vengeful and inhumane treatment by the authorities based on a new kind of statutory familial co-responsibility.
The pre-trial detention and ill-treatment of defendants' families is not something new, it's a tactic that has been deployed for years in order to inflict psychological pressure and fear in defendants. The most recent case was that of Evi Statiri who remained in detention for six months until she became released following a geat struggle she carried through hungerstrike. The only incriminating evidence in Evi Statiri's case was the fact that she is the wife of political prisoner and member of the Conspiracy of Cells of Fire Gerasimmos Tsakalos.
The case of Maria Theofilou is even more unfair and vengeful on the part of the authorities, since the outcomes affect both of her children. Maria Theofilou - from the day she was pilloried when her photographs appeared in mass media- was remanded and her relationship to her husband and father of her two under-aged children (2 and 4 years old), G. Petrakakos, was used as ''evidence''.
It is obvious that for the authorities the separation of the two small children from their mother was not enough, despite the fact that at this age separation can be be a cause of trauma. This inhumane treatment goes to extremes when, in complete disregard for the children as well as Maria's parents, the police raided her parent's home resulting in the two toddlers having to stay at a park for four hours, which is how long the raid by the counter-terrorism unit lasted.
The most solid proof of the arbitrariness exhibited by the judicial and investigative authorities is the clear violation of the amendment introduced in the bill for prison reform voted in April 2015, which clarifies that family relations cannot be penalized.
For all these reasons analyzed above, the Initiative for Prisoners' Rights demands:
- that the prosecution and vengeful treatment against prisoners' families must be stopped
- adherence to the amendment of Minister of Justice Paraskevopoulos which de-penalizes family relations
- the immediate release of Maria Theofilou as a family member of a defendant and as a mother of two under-aged toddlers.
INITIATIVE FOR PRISONERS RIGHTS
******
Maria Theofilou on her pre-trial detention and the effect on her children
Since Tuesday, September 29th, after five days of detention in the Counter-terrorism jail, I have been remanded in the women's section of Korydallos prison. The series of charges I am facing essentially occurred from harbouring my Partner.
Our children 2 and 4,5 years old had to endure the violent moment of their father's arrest but mainly the frightening experience of the attack against them since there were guns pointed at the four of us with excessive violence the moment we got in our car. These events along with the violent separation and weaning as well as the deprivation of both their parents pose a great risk to their mental health.
I would like to clarify that the only incriminating evidence against me, based on which my pre-trial detention was decided, was my relationship with my brother who is incarcerated in Domokos prison. It's worth noting that the final question I was asked by the interrogator and the prosecutor with a great amount of irony and satisfaction, as if this was proof of my guilt, was whether I have any siblings and where my brother is currently.
Considering that there is no evidence against me, I am asking for my temporary detention to be terminated so that I can return to my children. I am asking for an end to this vengeful prosecution and a treatment based on evidence and not my family relationships.
Maria Theofilou
21/10/2015
******
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WITH MARIA THEOFILOU!
END THE PERSECUTION OF PRISONER'S FAMILIES & RELATIVES BY THE GREEK STATE!
INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY WITH ANARCHIST COMMUNIST PRISONER TASO THEOFILOU AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS IN GREECE!
Internationalist anarchist solidarity with the insurgent comrades Monica Caballero and Francisco Solar, kidnapped by the Spanish state since November 2013!
Received on 26.10.15, slightly edited for clarity:
CONCENTRATION IN THE NATIONAL COURT IN THE SIGHT OF MONICA & FRANCISCO
Tuesday, October 27. 9:00 am. C / C Genoa / Farcía Gutierrez. National audience. (Madrid)
On Tuesday October 27 the hearing of two of the arrested in the case of November 2013 is at the National Court. After spending nearly two years on remand, (November 13 completes two years), the judges will have to decide if they extend the two year custody or give bail to those awaiting trial.
Therefore, this Tuesday at 9:00 we will be with them at the gates of the court, because they are not alone, because we will not cease our solidarity.
They can lock us up but it will not stand.
DEATH TO THE STATE AND LONG LIVE ANARCHY
If they enact the extension of preventive detention gather at 20:00 pm in the Plaza de Tirso de Molina
******
CONCENTRACIÓN EN LA AUDIENCIA NACIONAL POR LA VISTA DE MÓNICA Y FRANCISO
– MARTES 27 DE OCTUBRE
– 09:00H
– CALLE GÉNOVA CON CALLE GARCÍA GUTIERREZ
Este martes 27 de octubre se celebrará la vista de lxs compañerxs Monica Caballero y Francisco Solar detenidos en noviembre de 2013 en la Audiencia Nacional.
Tras pasar casi dos años en prisión preventiva, (el 13 de noviembre cumplirían los dos años), tendrán que resolver si les prorrogan la prisión preventiva dos años más o les dan la libertad provisional a espera de juicio.
P
or ello, este martes a las 9:00 estaremos con ellos a las puertas de la audiencia, porque no están solos, porque no van a conseguir frenar nuestra solidaridad.
Podrán detenernos, pero no pararnos.
MUERTE AL ESTADO Y VIVA LA ANARQUÍA
Si decretan la prórroga de la prisión preventiva nos vemos todos a las 20:00 de la tarde en la Plaza de Tirso de Molina
PSM Statement - 23 October 2015 - Serious concern about well-being of Khalid Ismath!
Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) would like to express our deepest concern and alarm on the well being of Khalid Ismath. We have made to understand yesterday that Khalid has been put under solitary confinement since he was denied bail on the 13 of October 2015. Putting a person in solitary confinement is a form of torture and we call upon the Prison authorities at Ayer Molek Johor to place Khalid in a normal cell.
PSM is also deeply concerned that the Johor High Court has yet to grant a date to do a judicial revision on his denial of bail. A revision has been filed on Sunday 18-10-2015 and we are concerned that there seems to be a delay in granting his lawyer a date in court to revise the unpopular Session Court decision in denying Khalid bail.
Finally PSM calls upon SUHAKAM to immediately visit Khalid Ismath and assess his condition there. Khalid Ismath has already being declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International and we call upon SUHAKAM to intervene and protest his continuous detention without being offered bail.
Khalid should be given the rights of bail like any other person and there should not be any interference by any parties in ensuring that Khalid’s rights a safeguarded. His continuous detention without bail is a gross human rights violation.
Released by
S.Arutchelvan
PSM Central Committee Member
“Those who live on 300 or 400 euros a month are not terrorised by Revolutionary Struggle, but by you and your regime.”
In a climate of tension, a new trial for Nikos Maziotis unfolded in the specially designed court in the female prison wing of Korydallos. He is now being accused for acts allegedly committed during the period that he was wanted by police. His co-defendants are his fugitive companion, Pola Roupa, the anarchist A. Stamboulou who is denying the charges, and the recently arrested G. Petrakakos.
The defendants are charged with, among other things, the offenses of membership and participation in a terrorist organization of which the leader is claimed to be Maziotis, an accusation of exploding a car bomb at the Bank of Greece on Amerikis Street in April 2014, for which Maziotis has taken political responsibility, and also for supply and possession of explosives, explosions, and two robberies. Moreover, Nikos Maziotis is accused of attempted homicide in the shoot-out with policemen in Monastiraki in the summer of 2014 when he was arrested.
The manifesto and the banks
The request of the lawyers of Nikos Maziotis for the prosecution to produce representatives of the banks which he reportedly robbed, made the presence of the defense strongly felt. The accused took the floor and said the banks were, “predatory organizations, there was no robbery, expropriation is the reality of the event.”
And when asked by the court to speak in his defense, the accused read a text-manifesto with harsh words against the political system and the judges. “Those who live on 300 or 400 euros a month are not terrorised by Revolutionary Struggle, but by you and your regime,” he said addressing the judges. Nikos Maziotis declared himself an “anarchist prisoner of war”. He described the trial as political, claiming it was a title of honor for him to be armed.
The other defendent A. Stamboulou claimed himself an “anarchist prisoner of war” and denied the charges, claiming that they have no relation to reality as there has, “not been found any evidence against him.” And he called his trial “political” and attributed his persecution to the “rage of repressive mechanisms.”
G. Petrakakos, in turn, denied the charges and reserved the right not to speak in his own defense.
‘Evening’ trial
The tone went up further when the presiding judge announced that the court sessions would start at noon and will last until the evening as there is a risk of the expiration of 18 months [of pretrial detention time] for the accused Stamboulou. The legal advocates responded by invoking the “special status” of the trial, accusing the court that it gives priority to the principle of expediency, not of legality.
“Make a trial by yourself, your shame stands revealed!”, cried the packed audience.
“Arrange when we will come not from Pangrati but from the provinces,” complained witnesses.
“We will reach out to the Chief of Appeals, it is humanly impossible to meet,” said the lawyers.
Finally, after these reactions, the President interrupted the schedule for the morning of October 19, clarifying however that the other meetings will be held. . . in the afternoon and then proceeded to call out the the names of witnesses, amid loud protests.
(via The Barbarian Times)
via Wasiatpejuang:
SOLIDARITY UNTUK KHALID ISMATH DARI INDONESIA
Solidarity from Indonesia
Statement of PEMBEBASAN (Pusat Perjuangan Mahasiswa untuk Pembebasan Nasional—Center of Student Struggle for National Liberation).
18 October 2015
Solidarity for Khalid Ismath and Democracy in Malaysia.
Free Khalid Ismath!
Enforce Democracy, Destroy Militarism!
Eliminate the Sedition Act!
To Liberation and Solidarity!
Democracy and capitalism will not be able to walk along because capitalism does not need democracy. For capitalism, democracy will only disrupt the process of capital accumulation, so, even if democracy must exist, then it must be limited, controlled, dwarfed—so it can do no harm to the capital accumulation process. That kind of democracy is always inherent in any capitalist power, anti-criticism and repressive.
It is also endemic in the constitutional monarchy in Malaysia. Efforts to shut the criticism down is done by using the legislation instruments. We know Khalid Ismeth, that since October 7, 2015 has been imprisoned by the police in Ayer Molek, Johor, Malaysia.
The arrest of Khalid Ismath is just because he wrote his criticism against the government and the Sultan in Malaysia on his facebook status. Khalid criticized over the arrest of Kamal Hisham Jaafar through social media. Kamal Hisham try to uncover the truth behind the Sultanate evil empire, and he had been in Singapore since hunted by the government (Sultanate of Johor).
That is where Khalid Ismath expressed his support for Kamal Hisham, while criticizing the Sultanate of Johor. Soon, Khalid was arrested by the police with two charges; violating the section 233 of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia (Section 233 Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Act 1998) and Sedition Act 1948 as he encourage others to join in solidarity. Although two days after the arrest Khalid were released, he has been arrested again with sedition act.
Next, Khalid was brought to the court on October 13, 2015 for trial. Johor Baru Sessions Court charged him with 11 counts under the section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and 3 counts under the Sedition Act 1948.
Repression and anti-democratic act as practiced by the Sultanate of Johor provide a conclusion that there is no democracy for the majority of the people. For Sultanate of Johor, the meaning of democracy is exactly the same as the capitalistic democracy, it never give space for the people.
Capitalism does not object to dictators and dictatorships while they are in conformity with the interests of the accumulated profits. In his book, State and Revolution, Lenin, one of the leaders of the Russian Revolution in 1917, said that democracy in capitalism is democratic to investors that its economic position is free from the control of the people. It is enough to give them a councils, without the right to fire the representatives of their own choosing; enough to give them the 'democratic' institutions as a representative functions for their aspirations, without the urge to directly engage and understand it. That artificial democracy was built to keep people from politics, because the politics that is desirable by the capitalist is politics that serve the interests of the investment and the capital accumulation. It consequences on the need of political stability that leave the process of capital accumulation undisrupted. The political stability that is desired by capitalism and capitalist government agencies is enforced through the instrument of legislation and mobilization (military repression). These character appears in capitalist government around the world. Also practiced by the Sultanate of Johor when responding to the criticism issued by Khalid Ismath, and probably also will befall to anyone who dares to criticize the Sultanate of Johor in Malaysia.
Democracy and political freedom is the key/way out of the problems of the people who have been credited by capitalism.
Moreover, if the government's structure is still using feudal instruments such as kingdom/empire, the developments of people's productive power capacity would be very disturbed, and they will never develop the democracy itself (people power).
The issue of democracy; The more intolerant, more refused to differences, the opposing side was left to destroy each other, ideological differences are considered dangerous. It does not matter that a thousands of lives annihilated, as long as its ideology/doctrine does not spread; short-sighted, parochial, abominable, and dwarfed. Adapted according to the logic of capital, so long as the democracy does not hurt investment.
Therefore, for the sake of democracy and solidarity of anti-imperialism-capitalism people , we from PEMBEBASAN, demands:
- Khalid Ismath NOT GUILTY, the Sultanate of Johor should RELEASE Khalid Ismath now.
- Eliminate the Sedition Act.
- Stop the repression and activist criminalization.
- Give democracy, political freedom and prosperity for all the people of Malaysia.
And to the social movement in Malaysia we call for:
Unite people with democratic and anti-imperialism-capitalism platform as a condition against the feudal power structure (the empire/kingdom) and capitalist government agencies. Unity of the people is the embryo of a council of the people (people's power) to determine the future of Malaysia—to break away from capitalism.
In solidarity and democracy,
Jakarta, 19 October 2015
National Collective
PEMBEBASAN—Pusat Perjuangan Mahasiswa untuk Pembebasan Nasional (Center of Student Struggle for National Liberation)
*Note from Insurrection News: For updated information on Khalid, check Bebas Khalid Ismath Facebook page (Malay language) and follow these hashtags: #bebaskhalidismath #solidariti4khalidismath #mansuhaktahasutan #freekhalidismath
Insurrection News received on 03.09.15:
On 28th August (Friday), over a dozen police with automatic weapons and K-9 unit attacked Rumah Api (social center/house project in Kuala Lumpur) during a concert on that night. The police raided the house project and raid everybody during the concert and also trashed the living space of people who live there without any warrant or solid reason for the raid.
We all believe the raid were conducted due to the connection of Bersih 4 Rally which happen on the next days (29 and 30th) which is totally insane since the organizer of the concert, participants, and Rumah Api have little interest to join or even support the rally, due to our political stance on the issue of election and voting system.
The state use Rumah Api as the scapegoat of recent event of attack on banks and multinational corporations in KL for the past 2 years. So far, they found nothing to link us with that events. The police seize all the musical equipment at the concert hall, seize 2 computers of people who live there, one smart phone, artwork, and books belonging to people who live there. The police said they search the building for any weapons or explosives that can link us to terrorism.
All 160 people who got arrested were remanded for 3 days. Among the arrestees, there are comrades from United States, Germany, Spain, Phillipines and Indonesia who attended the concert. According to the detainees, during the interrogation, the police ask about their participation with Rumah Api and what knowledge they had about Rumah Api and terrorism. They were given very little food or water and there are issues of mistreating the detainees, especially womyn detainees.
The police released all of the detainees on 31st August except two comrades, one from Manila and one from Bandung. The police mention that they still under detention due to the process of checking their status in Malaysia and because both comrades have records for entering this country without legal permit.
At the moment, they still held the computers and a smartphone until further notice to help their investigation. 2 comrades are now facing court charges of Section 143 of the Penal Code, Section (4)(1)(b) of the Sedition Act and Section 6 of the Selangor Entertainment and Places of Entertainment Enactment and are facing fines and prison sentence of 20 years.
We are asking for solidarity from all over the world to spread the news. This is a brutal tactic use by the state to clamp down on the movement. With current political and economic instability in this country, and also the uprising of the anti-government sentiments, they trying to put down any action or any lifestyle that doesn't go along with what they want.
On Rumah Api side, the gig that night titled is Party Tonight, Revolution Tomorrow is nothing more than just a normal Friday night gig with no intention to relate it with Bersih 4 rally. We at Rumah Api are critical of the popular struggle in Malaysia. Bersih 4 which is a demonstration for free and clean election is a so-called first world problem and it has a middle upper class agenda. Bersih 4 is being supported and joined by liberals and Islamists with their partisan politics that we are all against. We focus more on the grassroots level and are more interested to put our energy into strengthening our own and surrounding community. We see, by supporting Bersih 4 and it's agenda, we are on the wrong side of our struggle. In Malaysia, by changing the government, it will not make the problems goes away. Issues of xenophobia, homophobia, racism and religion are still the serious problems the politicians failed to address.
Now, people still gathering outside of Ampang Police Station to pressure them to release two of our comrades.
Never Surrender!
Insurrection News received on 17.08.15:
At 5.30 am Thursday August 13, the anti-authoritarian collective BumZen was raided by a gang of masked cops from the police anti-criminal gang unit. They were followed by an army of armed cops, who handcuffed everyone present in the building at the time. The pretext given was that they were looking for participants in a riotous Reclaim The Streets demo the previous weekend. However, it is clear to us that this was a politically motivated operation against the infrastructure of the radical movement.
Although about 25 people were present during the raid, none were allowed to supervise the police while they were searching through their rooms and property. The police picked out the individuals, who had their official address at BumZen to bring them to the cop shop and charge them under paragraph 134a, participation in a riot.
Three other locations were raided the same morning. Two 17-year olds were arrested and remanded, accused of smashing windows at a bank in Østerbro, despite their status as minors and vandalism being a fairly petty charge.
On Saturday August 15 a demonstration took place from Blågårds Plads to BumZen, where there was a people's kitchen. All proceeds collected are being donated to to the prisoners.
Against repression and police brutality!
Solidarity with the prisoners!
The State and System have factually proven their role against anarchists, anti-authoritarians, fighting people, self-managed spaces and various parts of society.
Within the social war there are also losses. The times we are living now are tough. Disgusted by the social relations and the models which they reproduce, against every form of exploitation and authority we aim at the destruction of this rotten system, whether it’s “prospering”, or it’s in “crisis”.
We consider multiform action as an integral part of the revolutionary procedures. From the distribution of leaflets in the squares, the occupation of spaces, the self-organization in workplaces and neighbourhoods, up to militant protests, night-time raids and re-appropriations.
The words of our brothers and sisters in captivity, give us the strength to continue.
Nothing is forgotten, nothing is left behind, the war continues as long as the enemy is here.
And the journey continues with “losses” but also joys, with hardships but also pleasant surprises.
Therefore, ALL OR NOTHING…
Solidarity to those who fight for freedom and dignity inside and outside the prisons.
The destruction of all prisons is a pebble in the struggle for human dignity, and social and individual freedom.
Rage and conscience until social revolution. Revolutionary greetings to all comrades EVERYWHERE AND ALWAYS!
S. FROM THE ANARCHIST PROJECT ACT FOR FREEDOM NOW!
Insurrection News received and transmits (edited for clarity):
Anarchist comrade Sergio Alvarez was transferred to the 33rd. wing of 'Santiago 1' prison, after staying for more than a week in a temporary wing.
In that wing, he can not have contact with other anarchist prisoners, who are kept separated in different wings of the same prison.
Anarchist comrade Sergio Alvarez was arrested on Wednesday, July 15 in the context of clashes between police and encapuchados (hooded ones) outside the University of Chile in Santiago. He was formalized for possession of an incendiary device, disorder and aggression against the police.
Sergio´s posture is not about “young student victim of a frame-up”, but he has positioned himself as an anarchic/anti authoritarian individual in confrontation with Power.
You can get more info and leave messages of solidarity for Sergio via this email: laguerracontinua@riseup.net
Solidarity with all comrades in prison!
The Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group calls on the Australian Government to drop the charges against Jamie Williams and release him unconditionally. He was arrested on 27 July and charged with “preparing for incursions into foreign countries for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities”. The substance of the charge is that he attempted to leave Australia to join the YPG forces in Syria fighting Daesh, which styles itself as the “Islamic State”.
We do not know whether Jamie Williams was actually trying to join the YPG, but we would have only admiration for him if he was. The YPG-YPJ (People’s Protection Units – Women’s Protection Units) of the PYD (Democratic Union Party) are defending the Kurdish communities of Rojova in Syria against the barbarous forces of Daesh and are doing so very effectively. Further, in the areas of Rojova the YPG-YPJ are protecting, there is a social transformation being conducted which has the potential to be greatly liberatory and to inspire revolutionary workers’ movements across the region.
We say only “potential” because the PYD are allying themselves with US imperialism in its military assault on West Asia, something that undermines the libertarian socialist goals for which the PYD claims to be struggling. While this alliance brings certain tactical benefits (having F-22s take out Daesh vehicles and field HQs definitely made defending Kobanê easier), they are greatly outweighed by the strategic disadvantage of the barriers it puts up between the Kurdish and Arab peoples of the region. The MACG therefore calls on the PYD to break with the United States and throw its lot in with the workers and oppressed masses of West Asia instead. US intervention in West Asia will kill far fewer jihadis than it will recruit for Daesh, something not unconnected to the fact that the US has killed far more people in the region than Daesh ever will.
Regardless of the PYD’s short-sighted choice of friends, however, its struggle against Daesh is greatly progressive and should be supported by workers in Australia and around the world. And if workers in Australia like Jamie Williams decide to join the YPG-YPJ or radical bands allied to them, the Australian Government shouldn’t stand in their way.
FREEDOM FOR JAMIE WILLIAMS!
LONG LIVE THE ROJAVA REVOLUTION!
(via Melbourne Anarchist Communist Group)
On Sunday August 2, 2015 Prosecutor Raul Guzman and the miserable Claudio Orellana from the Southern District Attorney's office decided to orchestrate a new maneuver against the comrades Juan, Nataly and Enrique.
This time the pompous theatrics were centered on realizing a 'crime scene reconstruction' with the presence of diligent witnesses and 'victims' of the attack that took place on September 8, 2014 at the Subcentro outside Escuela Militar metro station in Santiago.
Neither Juan, Nataly or Enrique were present at the reconstruction but there were a large number of plaintiff attorneys accompanying 18 of the 22 victims. The Office of the Prosecutor sought to coach each of the victims regarding where they were positioned at the time of the explosion to ensure that all of their testimonies are consistent at the upcoming trial.
The performance lasted over 5 hours with prosecutors, lawyers, the police and the press all serenading the victims and offering threatening condemnations against the imprisoned comrades.
Finally, as the day was finishing, the opportunistic and mercenary Maria Elena Santibanez, a lawyer from the Legal Clinic who initiated the individual lawsuits against the comrades presented a new claim from a 'victim' who has now decided to be part of the lawsuits.
Juan, Nataly and Enrique to the streets!
Abolish the anti-terrorism act and abolish all laws of the police state!
(via Publicacion Refractario, translated by Insurrection News)
A hearing was held at the main courthouse in Santiago on July 28th against the anarchist comrades Javier Pino and Natalia 'Tato' Collado who are both accused of burning down a Transantiago bus.
Comrades in solidarity tried to enter the courtroom to support the comrades however the judge and the prosecution took offence at the disorderly nature and appearance of the solidaritarians and ordered that the hearing take place behind closed doors with only the presence of relatives permitted.
Outside the courthouse a rowdy solidarity demonstration ensued. Two banners were unfurled, leaflets were distributed and slogans were shouted through megaphones to let the comrades know they were not alone. The police and special security forces intervened and a fight broke out with the solidaritarians standing their ground refusing to bow down throwing kicks and punches and spitting at the authorities. The authorities resorted to using batons and capsicum spray. The clashes continued into the court building itself and ended with 6 comrades detained. Two women comrades were formally charged with public disorder offences and cited to appear at the local police courts and the other four comrades were taken to the number 12 police station in Santiago for 'routine' identity checks. All the comrades were released in the afternoon.
As for the hearing...Tato and Javier were formally charged under article 14-D for 'detonating an incendiary device on public transport' which comes under the Arms Control Law. Such crimes have sentences ranging between 10 and 15 years. The investigation period was re-opened as the defense have new measures to deal with at the moment with no fixed days to investigate.
Active solidarity with all comrades in the anti-prison network!
Strength to the comrades Tato and Javier, No aggression will go unanswered!
(via contra info)
******
Comrade Natalia 'Tato' Collado transferred to isolation module
We have been informed that the comrade Tato was transferred after a visit on July 27 from her module, apparently as a mean to punish her for her attitude of disrespect and contempt for the prison institution and it's circus officials and for her relationship of affinity and comradeship with comrade Nataly with who she had been shaking the walls and the morale of the jailers. Currently comrade Tato is being held indefinitely in punishment and isolation Module 1.
We also inform you that on July 28 a judge ordered that only close relatives were allowed to attend the hearing to determine how long the kidnapping of our comrades continued. Obviously this measure ignited the anger of non-family comrades and led to clashes with gendarmes and police.
We will not allow provocations and aggressions to go unanswered!
We will not let the whims of judges, prosecutors and prison guards determine the lives of our comrades!
Down with the patriarchal, techno-industrial and anthropocentric prison society!
Tato and Javi to the street or wherever they want!
(via contra info)
Now that the investigative period is over and we await the hearing date for Javier Pinto and Natalia Collado, as a close group of friends we wanted to inform and disclose how our comrades were accused of burning a Transantiago bus three months ago and were taken from us.
THE FACTS
In the early morning of April 7, at the corner of Ecuador and Concon, located in the community of Estación Central, the darkness was interrupted with the scene of a burning route 210 Transantiago bus that was completely consumed by fire.
Minutes later Natalia Collado (Tato) and Javier Pino were arrested in Alameda, outside USACH (University of Santiago Chile) and detained on suspicion as their appearance allegedly coincided with descriptions given to the police by the bus driver who reported the fire.
The comrades were taken to Central Police Station 21 where they were told that the bus driver recognized them as two people who boarded the bus without paying at the corner of Alameda and Cumming and left a bag in the back seat before exiting from the rear door of the bus. Tato and Javier were then transferred to the BIPE (Police Brigade of Special Investigations) where they both had DNA samples forcibly taken from them. By now relatives, close friends and comrades who had heard about the arrest began to demonstrate out the front in solidarity with both comrades. Also as usual, the press began to appear in order to caputre the faces of our comrades for the television cameras. The following morning as they were taken to court Javier yelled at the press "Down with anthropocentric patriarchal society!"
The court extended the detention of the comrades for three days so that the police could gather more evidence. At the hearing held three days later, the bus driver's statement was presented as the main piece of evidence. The prosecution also stated that the possibility of an electrical failure in the bus accelerator causing the fire had been ruled out. The judge then formalized the charge of placing an incendiary device on public transport which comes under the arms control laws. The prosecution applied for a 90 day investigative period during which the comrades would be kept in custody and the judge allowed this saying that there were no concrete reasons to reject the application.
Javier was taken to module 11 at Santiago Prison Number 1 while Tato was transferred to the women's prison of San Miguel where she remained in isolation for several days before being transferred to the public connotation module (general population).
Natalia Collado and Javier Pino
From the beginning Tato and Javier openly expressed their view of life as a daily confrontation with the system that is imposed by civilization and openly defended the feelings that emerge from the heart when you decide to break the social monotony.
They refuse to claim a position of either guilt or innocence of the charges, choosing instead to use their lives as a praxis of comtempt and deconstruction of social logic, assuming that we live in a patriarchal, antropocentric, authoritarian and speciest world that looks with scorn upon all those who believe that life is something much more than cement.
There are those with a deep love of nature who dare to build new forms of social relationships and who constantly question the moral values learned from childhood even if it results in more failures than successes. Because every decision that on the surface seems harmless such as dietary choice, empathizing with the land and the various beings that inhabit it, the daily respect for the environment, the difficult deconstruction of patriarchy from the depths of relationships, choosing not to go to a hospital, living a self-managed life, finding new ways of learning - to name just a few things, can make it practically impossible to passively coexist with the dominant social order.
This is why their hearts are still beating with the pulse of untamed nature despite being locked behind the cold prison walls. From the beginning of their ordeal they have remained steadfast but without underestimating the impact of imprisonment. It is also important to note that the comrades are in two very different prison contexts.
For Javier the food situation has been difficult as before his arrest he was eating only raw, unrefined food. In Santiago Prison Number 1 this diet cannot be obtained even if you are vegan so one is forced by necessity to eat certain foods. Javier has also kept his long hair despite constant harassment from the gendarmes. It is also important to note that Javier has been unable to access 'recreational' activities such as playing ball. He has been able to use wood carving materials however it took a long time for these materials to reach him in the module due to all of the formalities involved.
Tato has been able to access more of a variety of prepared foods. At first she was sharing a cell with the comrade Tamara Farias Sol Vergara but Tamara was transferred and she is now sharing a cell with Nataly Casanova. Prison conditions in San Miguel Women's Prison are different to Santiago Prison and she has been able to receive craft and drawing materials as well as a variety of books and magazines.
These have been difficult months during the investigative period and the monotony of prison life make the time seem to pass even slower. During their detention Javier and Tato have expressed their feelings through public statements and have stood in solidarity with other imprisoned comrades by fasting or releasing statements. They have had to face the nightmare of imprisonment head on but have emerged with new questions, thoughts and feelings that have reaffirmed their beliefs.
After more than two months since their arrest they have been allowed one inter-prison visit with each other. This can be permitted once a month according to a behavior assessment determined by the gendarmerie.
Legal Status
On Friday June 26 a hearing was held and a new public defender was assigned who announced that the comrades were refusing to cooperate with the official investigation.
As a result of the hearing, Javier was given permission to regularly receive dried fruits and nutritional supplements. In addition, the comrades were granted a five minute visit with their new lawyer in the court cells after the hearing. And finally Javier allowed a doctor to check on his cracked rib which he had been nursing for two months because he was not willing to receive any assistance.
After close to two months in custody, Tato and Javier gained access to the investigative folder that contains the evidence to be presented against them. The bus driver's statement is still the only piece of evidence against them.
Despite the legal situation and the constant friction with lawyers both comrades are calmly waiting to be given the date for their next hearing.
Although their daily dealings with the gendarmerie have been hostile from the beginning, Tato and Javier have remained steadfast with the support of their loved ones. At first they were closely monitored and classified as prisoners who posed a risk of escaping but these conditions have now been eased. Even so, co-existance with the cops will always be difficult since neither comrade is prepared to resign or bow down to ill-treatment.
From outside we support our comrades with hearts full of love and the certainty that the howl of the pack crosses any wall. Therefore we remain complicit in affinity and solidarity with Javier Pino and Natalia Collado. By strengthening ties, through constant growth and learning with our comrades with more force so that every gesture of affection is a little heat to reach their hearts this winter.
As we wait for the next hearing date we send all our love to our comrades.
JAVIER AND TATO TO THE STREETS!!
Group of comrades and friends.
(via contra info, translated into English by Insurrection News)
